Darrell Williams’ commitment to the Auburn Tigers is what is commonly referred to as a soft verbal.
Williams originally committed to Auburn May 7. It hasn’t slowed Alabama or Oklahoma’s interest in the four-star linebacker. And Williams is smart enough to keep all of his options available.
“Auburn is the school I’m committed to, but at the same time, at the end of the day, people change their minds,” Williams told Al.com’s Wesley Sinor. “You just have to go with the flow. Everything happens for a reason. If I were to go to Auburn, then that’s the place for me. If I were to go to Alabama or Oklahoma, then that would be the place for me.
“Alabama is coming hard and Auburn is talking to me and keeping up the relationship. Oklahoma is trying really hard, but it’s hard because they’re so far away. I like their defense and the way they play, so it’s nothing against them. If I’m holding back a bit (from Oklahoma) it’s because of the two in-state schools.”
Williams grew up an Alabama fan, which could eventually cause him to flip his commitment.
“I talk to Coach (Mario) Cristobal probably the most, and Coach (Kirby) Smart,” he said. “Every now and then they get me on the phone with Coach (Nick) Saban. They want me to come there, obviously. Coach Smart knows how recruiting is, he tells me I have to go where I want to go.”
If Oklahoma wasn’t so far away from his home in Hoover, Ala., the Sooners might actually be the obvious choice for Williams. Both the Tigers and Crimson Tide have three commitments from linebackers. The Sooners don’t have any linebackers verbally committed to their 2015 class, and Williams said he likes their defense.
Williams also has scholarship offers from the Cincinnati Bearcats, Florida State Seminoles, Mississippi State Bulldogs and Tennessee Volunteers.
(Photo courtesy of Rivals.com)