SMU visits commit Cristian Williams
If you thought Chad Morris was going to take a well-deserved break on Sunday from recruiting, then you were wrong.
Morris was at it again, paying an in-home visit to SMU commit and Lincoln safety Cristian Williams.
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"It was great, coach Chad Morris is really a good guy. When he walked into room I felt comfortable around him and the staff and I made sure they did too," Williams told the HillTopics. "We talked about scheduling visits, questions about life outside of sports, he asked about grades. He asked about my commitment to SMU and I told him I was 100 percent committed to SMU."
Williams set his visit for January 23rd and said he was excited about meeting the rest of the coaching staff and his fellow members of the 2015 class.
"The rest of the class and me are in a group text but I've only two or three in person," Williams said.
While the 2015 class has shared some nervous feeling the past week since Morris' hiring, the new SMU coach put those concerns to rest while talking to Williams.
"First we were kind of worried if our commitments were going to be honored but coach Morris said all our commitments would be honored. I texted the group and everyone was happy," Williams said. "That was a great feeling, I was so glad it was indescribable. It shows they care that we stuck around throughout the season and the coaching change. As soon as he walked through the door I really knew I could play for him. He's so well-spoken and down to earth. I knew he felt comfortable here and I felt comfortable with him"
Williams also got the chance to talk with his position coach, Jess Loepp.
"He sees me as a safety that can play boundary side. He says I'm more athletic than most safeties are so they think I can play with more exposure to field and go up against top receivers," Williams said. "(Loepp)'s great, I talk to him a lot. He's been there for me, he's going to be one I stick with for a long time."
The best part of the visit for Williams might have been the happiness it brought to his mother.
"My mom loves SMU, that's one of biggest reasons I stayed with SMU after the coaching change. When (Morris) said he would honor my scholarship, her face just brightened. There was so much joy that I would get a good education."
During the offseason Williams will be working on his footwork and getting stronger because he does not "want to redshirt, I want to contribute to the team right away."