USC’s top recruit has positive message for fans after Georgia offer

The same day Georgia traded four-star cornerback Shamari Earls from South Carolina, the Bulldogs went after another Gamecock player.

Georgia safeties coach Travaris Robinson — who was Will Muschamp’s defensive coordinator at South Carolina from 2016-20 — told Caleb Williams an offer on sundayvery soon after Earls’ decision became public.

Williams, a three-star defensive lineman from Virginia, is currently 247Sports’ top-rated player in South Carolina’s 2025 recruiting class.

After making an official visit to South Carolina in early April, he announced his commitment a few weeks later.

Williams hasn’t backed down from his promise to go to South Carolina, but it appears Georgia is trying to use Earls to convince Williams to change his mind. The two have known each other for years and attended rival high schools near Richmond, Virginia.

“We are rivals here below” Williams spoke to DawgsHQ about himself and Earls. “We’re big rivals. He said, ‘Look, man, this is Georgia. It’s like Alabama or Oregon. You have to come see it once to put it on your bucket list.’ I said, ‘Yeah, you’re right.’

The DawgsHQ article, where that quote appeared, likely sent South Carolina fans into a panic. But Williams took to Instagram to calm those nerves.

In an Instagram post, he wrote: “Not looking back, staying true to your word is a bond.”

Although Williams admitted to DawgsHQ that he was shocked to receive an offer from the Bulldogs, he was determined to stay loyal to South Carolina head coach Shane Beamer, defensive line coach Travian Robertson and the rest of the Gamecocks staff.

“It was love (that got them to the top), love from the coaches and my position coach,” he said. “I really like the guy, and he let me know they needed me to play next fall. He’s already planning for that future,” Williams said. “They kept their word, and I kept their word. Their word is a commitment.”

South Carolina Football Class of 2025

Jayden Sellers (WR) — signed October 26, 2023 Brian Rowe (WR) — signed April 9 Damarcus Leach (DB) — signed April 10 Anthony Addison (DE) — signed April 12 Caleb Williams (DE) — signed April 21

Jaquel Holman (ATH) — signed June 8 Kobby Sakyi-Prah (DE) — signed June 10 Chris Hatfield (DB/WR) — signed June 11 Preston Douglas (TE) — signed June 12 AJ Holloway (LB) — signed June 14 Max Kelley (K) — signed June 15 Shedrick Sarratt (OL) — signed June 14 Jaquavious Dodd (DL) — signed June 20 Cutter Woods (QB) — signed June 24 Taeshawn Alston (DE) — signed June 25 Jaiden Braker (LB) — signed July 6