Top USC football recruit has positive message for fans after Georgia offer

On the same day that Georgia flipped four-star South Carolina cornerback commit Shamari Earls, the Bulldogs went after another Gamecock pledge.

Georgia safeties coach Travaris Robinson — who was Will Muschamp’s defensive coordinator at South Carolina from 2016-20 — handed Caleb Williams an offer on Sunday, very soon after Earls’ decision became public.

Williams, a three-star defensive lineman from Virginia, is currently 247 Sports’ highest-rated commit in South Carolina’s 2025 recruiting class.

After taking an official visit to South Carolina in early April, he gave his pledge a few weeks later.

Williams has not strayed from his South Carolina pledge, but it seems Georgia is trying to use Earls to help convince Williams to flip. The two have known each other for years and attend rival high schools near Richmond, Virginia.

“We are rivals down here,” Williams told DawgsHQ about he and Earls. “We are big time rivals. He told me, ‘Look man, it’s Georgia. It’s like Alabama or Oregon. You have to come see it once for the bucket list.’ I said, ‘Yeah, you’re right.’”

The story from DawgsHQ, where that quote appeared, likely caused panic from the South Carolina faithful. But Williams took to Instagram to ease the nerves.

In an Instagram story post, he wrote: “Not flipping staying true to word is bond.”

While Williams’ admitted to DawgsHQ that he was shocked to receive an offer the Bulldogs, he was adamant about staying loyal to South Carolina head coach Shane Beamer, defensive line coach Travian Robertson and the rest of the Gamecocks staff.

“It was the love (that put them over the top), the love from the coaches and my positional coach,” he said. “I love that dude a lot, and he has let me know they need me to come in next fall to play. He is planning for that future already,” Williams said. “They have stayed to their word, and I have, too. Word is bond.”

South Carolina football class of 2025

Jayden Sellers (WR) — committed Oct. 26, 2023 Brian Rowe (WR) — committed April 9 Damarcus Leach (DB) — committed April 10 Anthony Addison (DE) — committed April 12 Caleb Williams (DE) — committed April 21

Jaquel Holman (ATH) — committed June 8 Kobby Sakyi-Prah (DE) — committed June 10 Chris Hatfield (DB/WR) — committed June 11 Preston Douglas (TE) — committed June 12 AJ Holloway (LB) — committed June 14 Max Kelley (K) — committed June 15 Shedrick Sarratt (OL) — committed June 14 Jaquavious Dodd (DL) — committed June 20 Cutter Woods (QB) — committed June 24 Taeshawn Alston (DE) — committed June 25 Jaiden Braker (LB) — committed on July 6