DeJuan Williams has received offers from some of the top schools in the country, but he narrowed down his offer sheet to just eight schools Thursday.
Syracuse, Cincinnati, Pitt, Virginia Tech, Boston College, Maryland, Oregon and Stanford made Williams’ — a 5-foot-10, 195-pound four-star running back from St. Frances Academy in Baltimore, Maryland — top eight.
Schools like Arizona, Duke, Georgia Tech, Illinois, Lousiville, Michigan, Ohio State, Penn State and Vanderbilt didn’t make the cut.
Williams is one of the handful of running backs that the coaching staff is still pursuing as official visits get closer.
Pitt began its relationship with Williams back when Andre Powell extended an offer on Oct. 14, and while there hasn’t been a visit to this point, it’s clear the coaching staff has done enough to secure a place in his top contenders. But it will certainly require a visit going forward.
As a junior at St. Frances, Williams flashed his big-play ability often. His quickness and speed once he hits the second level are apparent on film, and with a 5-foot-10, 195-pound frame, he’s stout enough to shrug off would-be tacklers, too.
In just four games listed on MaxPreps, Williams racked up 41 carries for 336 yards (8.1 yards per carry) and two touchdowns, while adding two receptions for 17 yards.
247Sports rates Williams as the 235th-ranked recruit in the class (17th-ranked running back and fifth-ranked recruit from Maryland) while On3 rates him as the 291st-ranked recruit in the class (25th-ranked running back and seventh-ranked recruit from Maryland).
Rivals rates him as the 24th-ranked running back and the ninth-ranked recruit from Maryland — holding a 5.8 Rivals Rating.
Pitt has already secured a commitment from 2024 three-star running back Juelz Goff, and there are official visits scheduled for three-star Sam Cooper, four-star Yasin Willis and three-star Josiah McLaurin.
If Pitt wants to advance its relationship with Williams, it will require an official visit at some point in June.
