Just when Ole Miss fans thought they’d won the Izayia Williams sweepstakes, the story has taken yet another turn. On May 2, 2025, defensive coordinator Pete Golding dropped one of his famous shark emojis, which usually is an unofficial siren for the Rebels landing a big defensive name.
Hours later, it was official. Williams, a four-star linebacker from Tavares, Fla., had flipped from the Florida Gators to Ole Miss. That move from Williams came two months after he’d committed to the Gators. However, this was not the first flip, and as of today, it is not the last either. If there is one thing that Williams’ recruitment has shown the world, it is to expect the unexpected.
Izayia Williams Decommits From Ole Miss To Join Florida State Seminoles
On Friday, August 15, Williams made it official. He is back with the Florida State Seminoles. For the nation’s No. 3 linebacker, this move is personal. “I’m in with Florida State,” Williams said. “They kept a consistent relationship with me, even when I decommitted from there. It meant a lot, it really meant a lot.”
Initially, on September 04, 2024, Williams had committed to FSU. In fact, since November 2023, Williams has committed to Louisville, Syracuse, Florida State, Florida, Ole Miss, and now, once again, Florida State. That’s six commitments and five flips in under two years. However, this time, the recruitment is shut down, and he’ll enroll in Tallahassee this January.
Rivals’ No. 1 LB recruit Izayia Williams has flipped his verbal commitment fro Ole Miss to Florida State. He has also shut his recruitment down ahead of January enrollment.
“A piece of my heart has always been in Tallahassee.”https://t.co/alSuY8zNAb pic.twitter.com/N16J2hwKKF
— John Garcia, Jr. (@JohnGarcia_Jr) August 15, 2025
As Williams himself puts it, “It means a lot to be a Seminole commitment. My mom even has the spear tattooed on her.” For FSU, this is a huge pickup. Williams is a 6’2”, 215-pound sideline-to-sideline force with elite speed, explosion, and the kind of versatility that could make him a three-down problem for ACC offenses.
Even after his November 2024 decommitment, head coach Mike Norvell and linebackers coach John Papuchis stayed in touch. “When I injured my knee, I was talking to coach Norvell almost every day,” Williams recalled. “He told me to rehab my knee and get it right, but also that he was going to coach me one day. Every time I talked to him, he said he was going to coach me one day.”
With depth concerns at linebacker, Williams could step into the MIKE spot early. “We talk about getting ready for me to come in January ready to play,” Williams said of his conversations with FSU’s coaches. “They want me to come in there to play MIKE linebacker.”
FSU had four-star Earnest Rankins and three-stars Tico Crittendon and Wihtlley Cadeau. Now, with Williams’ commitment, FSU is looking stronger than ever. Williams’ ability to line up in multiple spots and pressure the quarterback gives the Seminoles more options on defense.
Williams is, no doubt, a defensive force. In over 10 games in his junior season, he made 125 total tackles, 75 of them solo, averaging 12.5 tackles per game, per MaxPreps.