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5-Star WR Hykeem Williams Talks Pitt Visit, Gameday Atmosphere: ‘I Loved It’

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During this recruiting cycle, Hykeem Williams has become household name and has transformed into a ‘celebrity’ in the world of high school football recruiting.

That’s what happens when you’re a five-star recruit and have the opportunity to attend virtually any university that he chooses to.

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After spending last weekend in New Orleans attending the Florida State-LSU game, Williams was in Pittsburgh this past weekend to take in the Pitt vs. Tennessee clash.

That’s important because that’s possibly the last unofficial visit Williams makes before announcing his college decision next Friday, September 23. Although he hasn’t named a list of finalists, it’s widely believed that Williams will choose between Pitt, Texas A&M, Florida State, Miami and Georgia.

When you’ve reached the level of recruit that Williams has become and are getting recruited by some many teams, this high school senior is getting pulled at in many different directions for information, requests and phone interviews. In some ways it’s a neat thing to experience but at the same time, it becomes tiresome, the pressure builds, and it becomes difficult because Williams is still a teenager.

Last night, Pittsburgh Sports Now had the opportunity to talk with Williams for the first time about his recruiting and more importantly, his weekend in Pittsburgh with the Pitt Panther football program.

My conversation was very enjoyable as Williams was a very intelligent kid with a exuberant personality. Not only was he very outgoing but also showed a sense of humor and will no doubt be a media favorite for whichever college program he eventually signs with.

This weekend was the third time this year that Williams has visited Pitt, but it was his first time visiting for a Panther gameday, which was the point of this visit. Williams tells me that he and his family have received a ton of love from the Pitt fanbase over social media and that continued on Saturday at Acrisure Stadium. That is something that is appreciated and not taken lightly by Williams.

“It really means a lot, it really does,” said Williams. “I’ve put a lot of work into getting to be the player that I am and to be recognized by the fans like that is just amazing. It’s kind of crazy and in some ways hard to believe how recognized I’ve become. I never ever thought it would be like this.”

“The whole day went well. Everyone made me feel like it was home. Everyone made me feel like I was already playing there, like I was a member of the team, actually like I was already a legend there. That is such a great feeling and great to think that that’s what it could be like in the future. I really left with a good feeling.”

Before the game, Williams and his family spend time on the field watching Pitt warmup and got the chance to talk with Tiquan Underwood and other members of the Pitt coaching staff. During the game, he was in the stands watching Pitt battle against Tennessee and despite the loss, Williams was impressed with what he saw from the Panthers.

“By watching them, I could tell that Pitt is a brotherhood,” said Williams. “They stick together and that’s one thing that I like is players that stay together and will go to war for each other. No matter what, no matter if they mess up, they’ll go to war together and have each other’s back.”

“Coach Wood and I talk so much and we’re so close that most of our conversations aren’t even about football. We have such a good vibe, that we’re just talking about family, friends and we’re just chilling. We just don’t talk about football and recruiting, and I really love that.”

Since it’s so close to his decision day, I asked Williams again about his reason for flying up to Pittsburgh from Florida. Was it to have one more conversation with the Pitt staff or to learn something more about their plans for him or to find out more about the university and Pittsburgh?

“No, I’ve been to Pittsburgh before, but I was never at a game before and have never gotten to experience the gameday atmosphere. This was my time to see it, my time to see what they do and how they operate.”

“I loved it (the atmosphere),” said Williams. “I loved everything about it. SWEET CAROLINE, SWEET CAROLINE [Williams sang on the phone]. That was great, loved it.”

Before he got back on the plane and head home to Fort Lauderdale, I asked him about any closing recruiting pitch that the Pitt staff had for him before next Friday’s decision day.

“They just told me that Pitt needs me and that I would be a major factor on their team and that I would fit right in. They let me know that they really want me to be a part of the Pitt family.”

Obviously, Williams wasn’t going to tell me who he plans on committing to but did say that “I’m somewhat close” to know who he plans on committing to.

Keep this in mind, regardless of who Williams commits to next Friday, he still plans on making an official visit to Texas A&M in December.

Williams is rated as a Rivals 5-star recruit and the No. 16 overall player in the Class of 2023. If he were to commit to the Panthers, he would become the highest rated recruit in the history of Pitt football.

Considering the number of requests he receives on a daily basis, PSN appreciates Williams returning our message and taking the time to talk with us about his most recent Pitt experience.

Sandy Schall, Coldwell Banker
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On Campus Stadium Please
On Campus Stadium Please
1 year ago

no shot

Mtgj
Mtgj
1 year ago

If they have no shot then why would he make 3 visits to pitt and spend his last Saturday flying to Pittsburgh to watch a game?
If pitt had no chance then he certainly wouldn’t have came to the game on Saturday.

On Campus Stadium Please
On Campus Stadium Please
1 year ago
Reply to  Mtgj

zero chance

Jim
Jim
1 year ago

How’s that???? They have been on him the whole time.. two schools Florida State Texas A&M came in late… and they’re still there how do you get zero chance…Just a stupid saying they may not get him but zero chances is so stupid!!!!!

Ed Rose
Ed Rose
1 year ago

Like PSU versus Georgia.

On Campus Stadium Please
On Campus Stadium Please
1 year ago
Reply to  Ed Rose

like anyone vs. Georgia

waysmarterthanyou
waysmarterthanyou
1 year ago

sounds like a disgruntled Penn State fan…..perhaps he didn’t want the “Sandusky treatment”…..heh.

On Campus Stadium Please
On Campus Stadium Please
1 year ago

duzz on staff with Dr. Larry Nassar…#duzzknew

Justin Dietrich
Justin Dietrich
1 year ago

You’re a coward

On Campus Stadium Please
On Campus Stadium Please
1 year ago

why?

JHOFF14
JHOFF14
1 year ago

You’re always so damn negative! If you want an on campus stadium move to a college town that has one! Because we surely wouldn’t miss you and your negative comments along with your negative attitude! Try to be positive for once in your life!

On Campus Stadium Please
On Campus Stadium Please
1 year ago
Reply to  JHOFF14

H2P!!!! Enough positivity for you?

On Campus Stadium Please
On Campus Stadium Please
1 year ago

zero chance

Giovanni
Giovanni
1 year ago

And if you’re wrong about something you are so sure about will you agree to exit these boards for good?

On Campus Stadium Please
On Campus Stadium Please
1 year ago
Reply to  Giovanni

Sure, if Hykeem is on the roster next fall I’ll remove myself for you Giovanni

On Campus Stadium Please
On Campus Stadium Please
1 year ago
Reply to  Giovanni

Guess I’ll be here for a bit longer

Giovanni
Giovanni
1 year ago

And if you’re wrong about something you are so absolutely sure about will you agree to exit these boards forever?

On Campus Stadium Please
On Campus Stadium Please
1 year ago
Reply to  Giovanni

I’m right, zero chance

BUCHPANTHER
1 year ago

Pitt actually has a good shot at him and a good as chance as anyone. His top three schools have changed, but the one that has remained in the top three always has been Pitt. That is a very good sign. I actually got to meet him and his family over the weekend outside the Champions Club gate as we were waiting to enter the stadium with system being down. All I can say is they love Pitt. They had nothing but really good things to say. I could tell it was genuine as well.

Ryan Scholato
Ryan Scholato
1 year ago
Reply to  BUCHPANTHER

Do you think they would tell you they can’t stand it?

Ed Rose
Ed Rose
1 year ago

Like you with the women.

Jim
Jim
1 year ago

It’s about 💰now a days… that’s why his seeing a&m last

SRS
SRS
1 year ago

L.Fitzgerald, J.Addison, A.Bryant, T.Boyd, J. Baldwin…. M.Shanahan, D.Street, L.Grim, D.Kinder, M. Ffrench, G. Lee

if he chooses elsewhere it will the U in Coral Gables or the run of success in Athens GA

On Campus Stadium Please
On Campus Stadium Please
1 year ago
Reply to  SRS

Or Texas A&M or Florida State

On Campus Stadium Please
On Campus Stadium Please
1 year ago
Reply to  SRS

if you are going to list previous WR, then don’t forget the list of Miami and Georgia

kevin
kevin
1 year ago

What about Brian Davis (Washington, PA) in the 80’s and then Shady? I thought Davis was the #1 overall national recruit when Pitt got him?

Jim
Jim
1 year ago

My concern is with good local talent … why is pitt not even in running for nobody they’re not even mentioning them !!! It’s like they don’t matter…. they get a bad rap from the media??? In town

Section122
Section122
1 year ago

I just don’t see Pitt having the NIL fire power to land him. He probably wants to come here but the check won’t be as big unless a local corporation finally steps up.

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