3-star JUCO LB Brenden Williams commits to Ole Miss

Hugh Freeze and Co. are going to have a busy final two months before National Signing Day trying to piece together a class that’s tainted by an NCAA investigation. Well, getting a commitment from a dynamic junior college linebacker is probably a good start. The Rebs landed a commitment from Northeast Mississippi Community College inside linebacker Brenden Williams on Saturday, the No. 3 junior college inside linebacker in the country.

The Rebs were the first to offer the 6'4, 230-pound wide receiver-turned-linebacker and Williams did not hesitate to pull the trigger after visiting Oxford. Williams, a native of Birmingham, Ala., signed with Northeast after not being heavily recruited out of Restoration Academy as a receiver. He has four years to play three seasons. At NEMCC, he collected 89 tackles in just nine games.

How does he fit in?

Williams is an athletic individual who is outstanding in the open field despite weighing in at 230 pounds. His background as a skill position players helps him dissect plays and he makes his reads rather quickly, especially on screens and crossing routes. At 6’4, he has the length to cover backs and slot receivers out of the backfield while also being able to fend off pulling guards and tackles in the open field. Brenden is a guy who should be instant impact at a position that was really lacking some attitude.

Terry Caldwell, Rommel Mageo and Tamerio Strong are the only departures at the position but playing time will be readily available and up for grabs. Ole Miss needs linebackers in the worst way, and Williams should be someone who can step in for spring ball, learn the system, and be ready to make plays in 2017.

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