Big-time Tennessee OL ‘had a lot of fun’ during his first Death Valley experience

The Clemson Insider checked back in with this Class of 2023 offensive lineman, who took in a gameday visit for Clemson’s matchup against Georgia Tech this past Saturday. Alcoa (Tenn.) High School’s Lance Williams has been feeling the love from …

The Clemson Insider checked back in with this Class of 2023 offensive lineman, who took in a gameday visit for Clemson’s matchup against Georgia Tech this past Saturday.

Alcoa (Tenn.) High School’s Lance Williams has been feeling the love from Clemson since Sept. 1 and officially made his way back to Tiger Town to take in his first Death Vally experience.,

“It was fun. I liked it a lot. I had fun. I talked with a lot of the coaches and I had a great time,” Williams told TCI. I liked the energy they bring and the hype in the stadium. I also have an offer from Georgia Tech, so it was cool to see both of them play each other. It was a good game.”

What did Williams hear from Clemson’s coaching staff while he was on campus?

“They were saying how they were talking to my coaches and I was playing good this year,” he said. “They were excited that I was up there and they’re looking forward to getting me up here a lot more.”

Williams worked out in front of Clemson’s offensive line coach Robbie Caldwell at the Dabo Swinney Camp this past summer and has kept in contact with him, including multiple phone conversations, since June. Williams had the chance to meet Caldwell face-to-face again this past Saturday.

“He’s a great coach,” Williams said of Caldwell. “I like being able to make a relationship with him because I know that he’s not gonna leave there anytime soon, so if I was to go there, I know he’ll be there, which makes me feel a lot better.”

As for Thomas Austin, Williams said that the Clemson offensive analyst sat with him and his family while they ate during their meal.

Williams isn’t 100% sure that he’ll return to The Valley this season, but he indicated that there’s a good chance he might, it just depends on the rest of his schedule. In addition to Clemson, Williams has also been to Tennessee, Kentucky and Virginia Tech for game day visits this season. He mentioned those schools as ones currently standing out in his recruitment.

Though, a game-day experience in Death Valley is just different.

“They’re obviously one of the best programs in the country, so it was cool to be able to see that and see how they run things,” Williams said.

Currently, Clemson is one of the top schools in Williams’s recruitment, even though he doesn’t currently hold an offer from the Tigers just yet. While he hasn’t heard about an offer, it’s Williams’ understanding that Clemson is going to take a patient approach, so they can get to know him and vice versa. 

“Honestly, the way they talk to me and my coaches, I feel like there is a good chance that they will offer,” he said. 

What does that mean to Williams?

“It’s definitely a cool experience because that’s like one of the top programs in the country,” he added. “Them wanting me to come up there makes me feel good about myself.”

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5-stars headed to Death Valley for Clemson-Georgia Tech game

Clemson will again play host to some top prospects for Saturday’s 3:30 p.m. game against Georgia Tech at Death Valley. Here are some of the bigger names The Clemson Insider has confirmed as planned visitors for the Clemson-Georgia Tech game: A …

Clemson will again play host to some top prospects for Saturday’s 3:30 p.m. game against Georgia Tech at Death Valley.

Here are some of the bigger names The Clemson Insider has confirmed as planned visitors for the Clemson-Georgia Tech game:

A couple of headliners among the recruits expected to be in attendance are a couple of five-star class of 2023 prospects in Merrillville (Ind.) Andrean linebacker Drayk Bowen and Pickerington (Ohio) Central safety Sonny Styles.

Styles is the No. 1 safety in the 2023 class according to the 247Sports Composite rankings, which tab Bowen as the No. 2 linebacker in the class.

Bowen is working with a top five that includes Clemson along with Auburn, Indiana, LSU and Notre Dame.

A big-time receiver from the Lone Star State is slated to be on hand for Saturday’s game as well in Del Valle (Texas) four-star Braylon James, the No. 11 wideout and No. 75 overall prospect in the 2023 class, per the 247Sports Composite.

James has built a strong bond with Clemson receivers coach Tyler Grisham.

“Me and Coach Grisham are super close man,” James told TCI recently. “No matter where I go I know I’ll always have a backbone in him.”

Among other notable class of 2023 recruits on Clemson’s anticipated guest list for Saturday’s game are Alpharetta (Ga.) Denmark four-star linebacker Dee Crayton, Piedmont (S.C.) Wren defensive back Travon West, Alcoa (Tenn.) offensive lineman Lance Williams, Perry (Ga.) athlete Jamari Stone and Port Huron (Mich.) Northern edge defender Luke Fletcher.

Clemson 2022 offensive line commitment Collin Sadler of Greenville (S.C.) will also be in The Valley on Saturday.

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Clemson makes sizeable impression on big Tennessee OL

Clemson offensive line coach Robbie Caldwell has done his best to keep tabs on Class of 2023 offensive linemen, especially those that camped at Clemson this summer. One that’s been on Caldwell’s radar is Alcoa (Tenn.) 2023 IOL Lance Wiliams, who has …

Clemson offensive line coach Robbie Caldwell has done his best to keep tabs on Class of 2023 offensive linemen, especially those that camped at Clemson this summer.

One that’s been on Caldwell’s radar is Alcoa (Tenn.) 2023 IOL Lance Wiliams, who has been in contact with Clemson recently. In fact, he was on the phone with Caldwell just the other day.

Williams (6-4, 300) caught up with The Clemson Insider regarding his current recruitment and what he’s been hearing from Caldwell and the Tigers lately.

“I like him a lot,” Williams told TCI, regarding his relationship with Caldwell. “He’s a good coach and obviously Clemson doesn’t offer when you’re still young.”

Caldwell has told Williams to remain patient and that good things will potentially be ahead for the big Tennessee lineman. 

He’s been made aware of how the Tigers go about their business and is certainly appreciative of their willingness to build those relationships from the get-go.

“Yeah, I do,” Williams said when asked if he likes Clemson’s recruitment style, “because I also want to be able to build a relationship with them. If I don’t have a good relationship with the coaches or something like that, then that wouldn’t be a good school to go to. But, I do have a good relationship with Coach Caldwell. I like him a lot and my parents like him a lot too.”

Williams visited Clemson earlier this summer and had an opportunity to participate in Dabo Swinney Camp, in addition to receiving some feedback from Caldwell.

“It was definitely one of the nicest places I’ve ever been to, I’ll tell you that,” he said. 

According to Williams, Caldwell really liked what he brought to the table, especially during the camp sessions.

“He said for me still being young, I’m out there holding my own against them old guys that are already committed places and all that,” Williams said. “He’s said I’ve been doing pretty good.”

Williams describes himself as an aggressive, fast-moving player. Which is certainly unique for his size.

He worked out at both guard positions during his time at Clemson, but he starts at left guard for his high school team.

Williams can play every position on the offensive line, but his home at the next level will be as an interior lineman. 

What’s really helped Williams stay in shape and improve his technique is wrestling. Just about every offensive line coach he’s connected with revels in the fact that Williams is a Heavyweight Wrestling State Champion.

Clemson, Kentucky and West Virginia were among Williams’ favorite visits this summer. He also visited Virginia Tech, Tennessee, Georgia Tech, Alabama and Auburn.

Clemson has made a sizable impression on Williams thus far, as he’s still trying to just soak everything in.

“It’s definitely overwhelming, but I’m very excited to maybe have a chance to play there,” he said.

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