Jaylin Williams watched on as friends Cam Jones and Elijah Rodgers committed to Indiana over the past few weeks.
Now he has a chance to do the same.
Williams, a versatile athlete out of Germantown, Tennessee, picked up a Hoosier offer last week. He plays both receiver and defensive back in high school but would start out at corner if he chose to come to IU.
"I didn't expect them to be after me," Williams said. "It's a big offer. It's really big."
As a junior, Williams has 856 receiving yards and 10 touchdowns on 36 receptions. He also recorded 62 tackles, 8 pass deflections, and only three catches given up all season at cornerback.
The 5-foot-11, 170-pound prospect also has offers from the likes of Arkansas State, Colorado State, Mississippi, Toledo, Vanderbilt, Wake Forest and Washington State, among others.
"I'm blessed," he said. "A year ago I wasn't even on the radar for anything."
IU linebackers coach William Inge called Williams after watching film and told him he'd like to offer him a scholarship. After offering, Williams said he spoke with IU cornerbacks coach Brandon Shelby and got a good first impression.
"He reminds me of me," Williams said. "When we're on the phone I can tell he's hyper and energetic. I just really like that. I can tell we're going to have a good relationship. I can't wait to get down there and meet him in person."
Williams will get his chance soon. He plans to visit Indiana May 20.
"I'm looking for a home away from home, to be honest," he said. "My parents and I are big into academics, so we're looking for a school that's going to be good for me there. And of course for the football aspect we're looking for another family and coaches you can build bonds with because you don't want to be coached by someone you don't get along with."
Over the last year or so, Williams said he's become mentally and physically stronger and that coaches have taken notice of that. He doesn't mind moving around the field as long as it makes his team better.
Case in point, he said he'll play safety next season.
Moving forward, Williams said he's in no rush to make any sort of college decision but added that he's looking forward to meeting with IU's coaches and seeing what other schools are interested.
"It's a lot of fun because I'm going to places I've never seen before," Williams said of his recruitment. "I'm seeing different things. It's just really cool. Sometimes it can be stressful, but all in all it's really a blessing to be in this position."
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