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Jven Williams is one of the most sought-after offensive line recruits in the nation and he’s just a junior. The four-star prospect has some of the biggest programs in the Power Five after him, with a number of Big Ten schools heavily involved.
The 6-foot-5, 300-pound tackle from Wyomissing, Pennsylvania, says that Rutgers, Pittsburgh, Penn State, and Illinois are the four programs showing him the most love. In the midst of his junior season, visits are difficult to make since his home games are on Saturdays when the vast majority of Big Ten games are being played. But Williams is interested in learning about a number of programs.
Two programs, Rutgers and Penn State, are currently showing him a lot of attention and interest, he says.
“I feel like they all really want me,” Williams told ‘Rutgers Wire’ on Tuesday. “If I had to say two it would most likely be Penn State and Rutgers; Rutgers sends a lot of mail and handwritten letters and I text the coaches almost daily.”
The Scarlet Knights are currently 3-4 and have had some struggles the past four weeks since the Big Ten schedule started. The first three losses for Rutgers came against teams currently ranked top 10 in the most recent USA TODAY Sports AFCA Coaches Poll. The week last week was against Northwestern, who made the Big Ten Championship Game last year.
The Big Ten struggles underscored the extent of the rebuild being undertaken by head coach Greg Schiano as well as the need for offensive linemen to step in and help. A four-star such as Williams might be able to contribute immediately.
When asked if he would embrace a team currently going through an extensive rebuild, Williams said “I would.”
“I love the idea of CHOP and the idea of rebuilding a program just as much of the idea of joining a successful program. I feel they haven’t had much luck, but I believe they have potential to be something special,” Williams said.
“Rutgers isn’t too far from here and of course I want to go to the NFL but as of right now my focus is education and when coaches communicate with me and show me love that plays a huge factor in my consideration!”
As for other programs in the mix, Williams has a lot to say about Penn State and Michigan.
The Nittany Lions as a program has left a big impression on the class of 2023 stud. Penn State is currently 5-1 and ranked eighth in the nation.
“I love the coaches; the program is awesome and they want to keep the best of Pennsylvania in Pennsylvania so I love that idea. It’s actually a bit farther than Rutgers but I love PSU,” Williams said.
“I have a great bond there when I went there the coaches were super interactive with me and my family, me and [head] coach James Franklin text every now and then, for the most part he reminds me that Penn State is the place to be, me and [offensive line] coach [Phil] Trautwein text and he checks up on me and answers any questions!”
There’s also Michigan, a program sixth in the most recent USA TODAY Sports poll. At 6-0, they are firmly in the mix for the College Football Playoff
“They offered me and I got to speak with coach [Sherrone] Moore (offensive coordinator and offensive line) and hopefully I can get up to a game, they are also very successful as of right now they’re undefeated so that’s great!” Williams said.
A visit to the Wolverines could be in the works soon.
“I have no idea my schedule with having home games Saturday mess up some opportunities so whenever I have an away game and they have a home game most likely,” Williams said.
Williams other offers are from a number of high-profile programs – 13 in total – including programs such as Boston College, Ole Miss, Tennessee and. West Virginia among others.