Williams to visit Rutgers on Friday

For all the interest De’Antwan Williams has generated from various Division I college football programs, he’s clearly the focal point of one school in particular.
Still without a commitment from a running back for the class of 2009, Rutgers University has let Williams know that he’s their top target at that position.
A week ago, Scarlet Knights head coach Greg Schiano flew down to the high school via helicopter, which landed on a school practice field. Schiano was there to see the Woodbridge High School standout for the second time since doing the same thing on Oct. 31.
That day in October, Schiano and two of his assistants took in the Freedom-Woodbridge game. Last Wednesday, Schiano and three of his assistants, including William’s chief recruiter, Gary Emanuel, came during the school day and spent about an hour at Woodbridge before departing.
On Tuesday, Emanuel was scheduled to return to Woodbridge to finalize plans with Williams on his visit to Rutgers this weekend and also to make a home visit to talk with Williams’ mother.
Viking head football coach Keith King said Rutgers’ approach toward Williams speaks to how Schiano likes to recruit. But it also speaks to how much Rutgers wants to sign Williams.
A four-year starter at Woodbridge, the 5-foot-8, 205-pound Williams finished this season with 6,909 rushing yards, which ranks sixth all time in the state. Rivals.com ranks Williams the No. 13 running back in the nation and the No. 1 inside running back.
“They’ve always been interested,” King said. “But this is the time when things are winding down and they are going to press in and try and get you.”
Williams said he is keeping his options open and still lists Alabama, West Virginia, Pittsburgh, Maryland and Rutgers as his top five schools.
His trip this coming weekend to Rutgers will be the first of his five officially allowed visits. Williams canceled his trip the weekend of Nov. 29th to Alabama and is looking to reschedule a visit to West Virginia for next month.
As of now, Rutgers is the only school Williams has lined up for a visit. Williams leaves Friday and will return Sunday.
Williams’ mother, Stacey Harvey, and two of his close friends and mentors, Darren Hill and Scott Enlow, both volunteers on the Woodbridge coaching staff, will drive up and join Williams on Friday at Rutgers.
King said Rutgers would be a good fit for Williams.
“They understand his needs academically and physically, Rutgers runs out of the I-formation like he did here at Woodbridge,” King said.
In 5-8, 205-pound Ray Rice, Rutgers produced a running back similar to Williams in size and style of play. Rice, a two-time all-Big East Conference selection, is a rookie with the Baltimore Ravens.
“Coach Schiano said that if De’Antwan commits to Rutgers, he will personally be bringing a Scarlet Knights’ jersey with No. 34 on it down to De’Antwan himself,” King said.
Rutgers was active in this area last year, recruiting Stonewall Jackson running back Ryan Williams and Hylton’s Morgan Carter. Rutgers was one of Williams’ final three schools before he chose Virginia Tech, while Carter is a freshman for the Scarlet Knights.
Rutgers is playing in a bowl game for the fourth straight season. It will meet North Carolina State in the PapaJohns.com Bowl Dec. 29th.
The Scarlet Knights (7-5, 5-2) finished tied for second in the Big East this season.