Alex Williams, the 6-foot-5, 210-pound two-star defensive end/linebacker from Florida A&M University High School in Tallahassee, Fla., is a two-sport star who says basketball is his first love.
"I never really followed college football because I was always more into basketball," Williams.
Williams played JV football as a freshman at Garvey High School, but admits he didn't start taking the sport seriously until he transferred to A&M University High last year. Now Williams is Scout.com's No. 152 defensive end and has offers from Arkansas, Ole Miss, Iowa, Memphis, East Carolina, Florida International, Florida Atlantic and Florida A&M.
Williams followed Florida State as a youngster - but for basketball. "It's the home town school and I love it there," he said. "It's only like seven minutes away. I used to always want to play basketball for them and never really followed their football team but I know they have great tradition.
"I could definitely see myself being a Seminole," he said. "I've talked to the coaches a little bit and they said they'd like to see me play a few games this season."
Williams knows that his upcoming senior season is very important. "I'm working hard to prove myself," he said. "I'm hoping to get more offers and I want to prove that I'm legit this season."
He says that the 'Noles are recruiting him for both defensive end and tight end.
Florida State now leads solidly over Arkansas, Ole Miss, USC and Georgia Tech. Only Arkansas and Ole Miss have offered from that group.
Alex is the younger brother of Boo Williams who played wide receiver for the Razorbacks and tight end for the New Orleans Saints.
"I basically like Arkansas because of my brother," he said. "It's a great program and they are recruiting me for both basketball and football. They were really the first school that said I could do both sports if I went there."
Williams also admits he benefits from his brother's advice. "He tells me not to rush things," he said. "He told me to take my time because he's seen a lot of guys make a bad decision and I don't want to jump into anything."
He doesn't have any official visits set yet and says he won't make a decision until the end of the year. "Hopefully I'll be able to make a decision by January," he said. "By then our season will be over and I'll have taken a few visits."
The only school that Williams has actually seen thus far is the hometown favorite Florida State, but he admits he's always wanted to visit USC.
"USC isn't really recruiting me, but that's a school I've always wanted to visit," he said. "They have a great football program and good basketball too. Reggie Bush was the one that really got me into USC."
A more realistic option for Williams is Ole Miss as they've already offered him. "The coaches at Ole Miss are real cool," he said. "It's in the SEC and I'm pretty much sold on them. They want me for basketball too and I really want to go there and see what it's like. The coaches seem like guys that will take care of you."
On the hardcourt, Williams plays shooting guard or small forward and averages 19 points and 13 rebound per game. He says Georgia Southern has offered him a basketball ride.
"I'm really trying to be able to do both," he said. "So far East Carolina, Arkansas and Ole Miss has been talking to me about both sports."
In addition to playing two-sports Williams also plays multiple positions. "I like wide receiver the most, but most schools are recruiting me for defense (either defensive end or linebacker)," he said.
"I think receivers are the smoothest players on the field and my basketball skills really help out at receiver," he said. "But I'll play whatever position they need me to play."
Last season Williams said he had 19 sacks. He benches 265-pounds and squats 500.
"I have good size and I'm fast," he said. "I surprise people because I move well for my size, plus I'm really strong but don't look it because I'm slim. I'm just a great pass rusher on defense but I need to work on my technique and containment."
Williams plans to major in business and already knows what he plans to do with his degree. "I want to open a chain of high-class barbershops across the country," he said. "I've got the plans under my bed."
He reports a 2.7 core GPA and is working hard to get improve his grades by taking "virtual school" (on-line classes). Currently, Williams is taking a geometry class online.
Williams is scheduled to take the SAT and ACT in November for the first time.