What looked like the start of a blossoming college football career came crashing down in the blink of an eye and it hasn't been the same since. All it took was one play for the life of Baylor Bears defensive end Deonte Williams to change forever. He hasn't played a single down since that fateful game, but he's been rewarded with a second chance.
As a redshirt freshman in Waco, Williams looked ready for the big stage. He recorded 15 tackles, including 1.5 tackles for loss, and had a fumble recovery. Then, in his seventh football game as a sophomore against Texas, the 6-foot-2, 235-pound end suffered a devastating broken arm injury that sidelined him for almost two years.
Williams was never cleared to play for Baylor last football season and was ultimately forced to medically retire. He entered the NCAA Transfer Portal in January, but hadn't officially found a new place to play.
"Me and my dad decided to take the medical DQ to have time to think about my future moving forward," Williams said.
Then on April 8, he committed to the Florida State Seminoles for this next season on social media, just two days after he received a scholarship offer from head coach Mike Norvell.
DE Deonte Williams Commits to Florida State
So after talking with my family, I’ve decided to commit to Florida State University. #yerr #Gonoles 🍢
— D.Will (@DWill__2) April 8, 2020
RELATED: FSU Transfer Running Back Granted Immediate Eligibility
Defensive end transfer Deonte Williams knows all about FSU football. His father — defensive back Alphonso Williams — played for the Seminoles in the late 1980s with current assistant coach Odell Haggins and would tell his son about the ACC program's rich history. When the offer came, he jumped at the chance to join his dad's former school.
A former three-star recruit from Prestonwood Christian High School in Plano, Texas, according to 247Sports, Williams told Noles247 that his arm is "100% good to go for the 2020 season."
"I saw a chance where I could be a part of an amazing program and follow in my dad's footsteps and decided. This will be my next chapter to go create my own legacy."
The coronavirus pandemic and COVID-19 outbreak put his visit to Florida State University on hold, but it didn't stop the former Baylor defensive lineman from committing and joining Norvell's first recruiting class in Tallahassee.
Although conferences like the Big Ten and Pac-12 aren't playing this year, Williams is ready to play for the Florida State football team and make an impact for the 'Noles after workouts and fall camp, just like his dad did back in the day.
This post was originally published on April 9, 2020.
MORE: FSU's 2020 Schedule Tests Mike Norvell Like Never Before
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