Kentucky Wildcats should be worried about Jarren Williams visits

Jarren Williams could be a program-changing quarterback for the Kentucky Wildcats.

The challenge, however, will be keeping the four-star quarterback committed until Signing Day with several top programs coming after him.

The Lexington Herald-Leader recruiting expert Ben Roberts wrote that, after talking with some other people in the recruiting world, Kentucky should be concerned about Williams making visits to Miami, Ohio State, and Auburn.

Count 247 Sports National Recruiting Analyst Steve Wiltfong as one who believes Williams will flip his commitment.

“I definitely think you should be worried when you line up official visits to Miami, Ohio State and Auburn,” 247Sports national analyst Steve Wiltfong told the Herald-Leader on Wednesday. “It’s obvious that he’s intrigued with some other opportunities, and he’s going to go check them out.”

On Williams’ Crystal Ball, the last two picks (entered last Thursday, Nov. 2) were for Ohio State. No selections have been entered since.

Miami has a lot to offer for Williams when he visits this weekend. The Hurricanes are on the rise, coming off of a big win versus Virginia Tech last week and will be featured on College Gameday for their prime-time matchup with #3 Notre Dame. With a win, the Hurricanes could begin to be featured prominently in College Football Playoff discussions.

Williams and his family are also familiar to Miami Head Coach Mark Richt from his time at Georgia.

As for Ohio State, the name speaks for itself. It is one of the top programs in the country and their 2018 quarterback commit could be flipping to Alabama soon, which would leave an opening in the class. Urban Meyer and the OSU staff would likely go hard after Williams if the spot opens up.

Williams’ other visit will be to Auburn during the Iron Bowl, which will almost certainly be an insane environment, especially if Auburn can upset Georgia this weekend and then take care of business against UL-Monroe, forcing a winner-take-all matchup against the Crimson Tide for a spot in the SEC Championship Game.

Williams re-committing after the big offers came rolling in last time was a major step for the Wildcats in his recruitment, but they will have to withstand even more of a storm this time to lock Williams up and bring him to Lexington.

Keeping Williams will be essential for the program moving forward, as well as the 2018 class. Right now, Kentucky will have Drew Barker, Gunnar Hoak, Danny Clark, and Walker Wood competing for the starting quarterback spot next year. Williams figures to play prominently into that battle and would have a chance of winning the job.

Not only that, but Williams is close with other players in the 2018 class. Hanging on to him could be crucial in keeping the class together as signing day draws near and decommitments take over the recruiting landscape.

If Kentucky can make it through the next few weeks with Williams committed and bring him to Lexington, I like Vince Marrow and Mark Stoops’ ability to seal the deal on his visit.