Coffee High DB Pernell Williams and the Florida Gators

Coffee DB Pernell Williams

Coffee defensive back Pernell Williams said he committed to the Florida Gators, but it appears that the reigning BCS champions have not yet accepted his commitment.

Here’s a quick recap: Williams said he got on the phone on Thursday morning with Florida assistants Vance Bedford and Brian White, and told them he was committing to the Gators. Then Williams texted reporters, saying he was excited about picking the Gators.

However, word later got back to Williams and his family that maybe the Gators hadn’t accepted the commitment just yet. Apparently, there was some miscommunication. Former UGA player Reggie Weeks, who is the brother-in-law of Williams, said he called Bedford late Thursday to clarify the matter.

“[Bedford] said ‘We definitely want Pernell and he has an offer from Florida,’” Weeks said. “He said they (Florida) didn’t want Pernell to rush into it so soon with committing where he might change his mind later on. So Florida is coming to Coffee’s spring football practices to work it all out.”

“Pernell is committed to Florida. That’s where he wants to go. That’s his dream school. That’s where he plans on playing in college.”

NCAA rules prevent college coaches from commenting on prospective student-athletes. The 6-foot-2, 180-pounder has been clocked in the 40-yard dash in 4.4 seconds said Clemson offered him as a sophomore and said that UGA had offered within the last few weeks. He also had serious interest from a dozen schools, including Tennessee, South Carolina and Georgia Tech.

Williams told the AJC on April 10 that he loves the Florida Gators. “It just doesn’t get any better than that. They have won two out of the last three national championships. That speaks for itself. They are the champions, and I’m excited that they want me to join their family. I almost committed to [Urban Meyer] when I was down there for Junior Day, but I didn’t.”

Williams made a name for himself in last year’s Class AAAAA playoffs against Stephenson. The two teams were stocked with big-time college prospects, and Williams stole the spotlight with 11 solo tackles.