Hoosiers attempting to flip Marshall Commit Devonte Williams

Maryland's Bullis Running Back Devonte Williams is in Bloomington this weekend for an official visit with the Hoosiers. The versatile playmaker is currently committed to Marshall.Tom Fedor/The Gazette

Written By Nick Holmes (@HoosierHolmes)

In 1999’s groundbreaking and iconic sci-fi thriller “The Matrix,” sentient machines have successfully overthrown humanity by trapping them in a computer-generated dream. In an effort to regain mankind’s freedom from the machines, Laurence Fishburne’s Morpheus employs the help of Neo, a computer hacker played by Keanu Reeves. Failing to fully comprehend the concept of the Matrix, Neo asks Morpheus for further enlightenment about the computer-created prison, to which he replies “Unfortunately, no one can be told what the Matrix is. You have to see it for yourself.”

Much in the same vein, current Marshall commit Devonte Williams, who happens to go by the nickname “The Matrix,” is someone you have to see for yourself. The running back’s highlight tape conjures up visions of former college football stars and current NFL players Dri Archer and Tavon Austin. Much like Archer and Austin, Williams is an explosive, multi-purpose athlete that is extremely dangerous in space and a threat to take it the distance every time he touches the ball.

Williams’ versatility was on display during his senior season at Maryland’s Bullis High School. He was a weapon both out of the backfield and lining up in the slot, rushing for 1,899 yards and 18 touchdowns on 232 carries and making 22 catches for 354 yards and 5 touchdowns. This Bullis Bulldog’s efforts didn’t go unnoticed, as he was named to the Washington Post All-Met and the Montgomery County Gazette Teams.

Despite all of his accomplishments, the 5-foot 9, 170-pound back is still quick to praise his teammates. After a particularly outstanding performance in a win against rival Landon High School where Williams accumulated 303 yards of total offense and scored five touchdowns, he made sure to credit the big guys in the trenches that helped make it happen, “I have the best offensive lineman in the state. By far.” 

The Hoosiers’ interest in Williams is far from recent, as he received an offer from Indiana last March and made an unofficial visit the following month during spring practice.

The three-star prospect is the 62nd ranked running back in the nation and the 19th best player in the state of Maryland according to Rivals.com. In addition to Indiana and Marshall, he also had offers Old Dominion, SMU, Buffalo, Charlotte, James Madison, Toledo, Western Michigan, Temple and most recently Oklahoma State.

While Devonte “The Matrix” Williams, might not be a threat to humanity, he certainly is a threat to opposing defenses. The Indiana coaches that hopeful they can get this Thundering Herd commit to flip to the Hoosiers during his trip to Bloomington on the last weekend before National Signing Day.