The Best WR Prospect Ever?

“In my 34 years in covering HS & JUCO football on MS Gulf Coast, D’haquille Williams is the most talented WR I have seen.”

“D’haquille Williams was best HS prospect I ever saw with my own eyes. Tulane HC Bob Toledo told me should be a 6 star. “

“Best high school football player I’ve seen. Huge talent.”

D’haquille Williams was rated a perfect 100 by 247Sports.com after catching 67 passes for 1,295 yards and 18 touchdowns as a redshirt freshman last year at Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College.

James Smith of Nola.com outlines D’haquille’s skill set as follows:

Size: Williams (6 feet 3) has really good length and his frame has filled out nicely (218 pounds) over the years. His length allows him to create mismatches against smaller defenders and makes him a prime target in the red zone.

Speed/Quickness: Williams is one of the more fluid and natural athletes one will see. For a big-bodied receiver, he does a good job exploding off the line and quickly erasing a defender’s cushion. His top-end speed (4.4 seconds in the 40-yard dash) is above average, but it is his acceleration and lateral quickness that allow him to get separation.

Route Running: As a prep star, Williams was raw and often beat defenders purely with athleticism. During a junior college game last season, it was apparent almost immediately that he had worked diligently on his craft and has become a good route runner. He does a terrific job dropping his hips, planting and exploding out of his breaks. There were times when he appeared to not run off defenders and take a few plays off if they were designed to go elsewhere. But overall, his route running is a strength of his game.

Running after the catch: Lateral quickness, a “home run” mindset and physicality all make Williams extremely productive after the catch. He shrugs off arm tackles and has enough wiggle in space to make defenders miss. Once he gets a defensive back out of position or off balance, he has the acceleration to turn a short reception into a big gain.

Hands/Ball skills: This is the most impressive part of Williams’ game. He is a natural pass-catcher and does a tremendous job tracking the ball in the air. His catch radius is expansive as he has long arms and quick reaction time. He can outleap most defenders for jump balls. All in all, Williams is about as good as it gets in this department.

Body Control: The former prep basketball star is magnificent at contorting his body and remaining under control. His footwork is impressive when he has to drag a foot or toe-tap on the sideline. Whether balls are thrown behind him, too high or the only option was a circus catch, Williams seems to make the improbable look easy.

Blocking: Williams doesn’t mind getting physical and after high school, he realized the importance of blocking and has improved his technique. His increased effort and focus on the details of sealing the edge and getting downfield to block is as good as it gets for a wide receiver.

‘It’ Factor: Williams plays with a swagger that is infectious to teammates. His confidence level is extremely high and he loves to let the defenders know how badly he just beat them. Talking is a big part of his game, and he backs it up. Coaches look for guys that “have that dog in them” and Williams certainly does. His desire to make the big play and the confidence he has in his abilities allow him to shine in pressure-packed situations.

Stoked to see D’haquille in action? You can view his highlight reel right here.

Though he remains uncommitted, D’haquille remains a huge LSU Tigers fan and they’re believed to be the clubhouse leaders to land him when he’s eligible to play in 2014.

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