Recovering from injury, explosive linebacker Izayia Williams targets immediate impact and mastering FSU's defense for fall practice.
The Florida State Seminoles recruited Izayia Williams, one of the most explosive linebackers in the 2026 class, but he won't don the Garnet and Gold until fall practice in August.
Williams is recovering from a torn ACL he suffered last year, which caused him to miss his entire senior season. While he's recovering, Williams is working out and has set a goal for himself before his appearance on the practice fields.
"I want to, obviously, get higher on the depth chart and know everything fluently," Williams said in his media availability on March 4. "That's what I'm just focused on now, learning everything so when the time does come, I know it all. It's not too much of a difference for me."
It's been several months since Williams was last on the field. However, his performance throughout his high school career at Tavares provided enough context for ESPN analysts Craig Haubert and Tom Luginbill to scout how he fits in defensive coordinator Tony White's 3-3-5 scheme.
Williams competed in sprints and other track and field events for the Bulldogs and utilized that athleticism to become a two-way player on the field as a running back.
"His two-way ability, highlighted by 423 rushing yards and six touchdowns on just 23 carries, showcases the rare athleticism that translates perfectly to FSU's fast-paced defensive system," Haubert and Luginbill wrote. "So does his 10.9 100-meter speed and 4.42 40-yard dash in a camp setting, which is elite for a linebacker."
He added four more touchdowns in the receiving game with 97 yards on five catches in his junior year. On the defensive end, Williams tallied 125 tackles (75 solo), 15 tackles for a loss, four sacks and an interception.
Williams dominated prep competition, finishing with fewer than 10 tackles only once as a junior, the season opener against the Citrus Hurricanes. In Tavares' loss against Mount Dora, he had 20 total tackles (14 solo).
His impressive junior season earned him an invitation to the Under Armour All-America Game, where he finished with seven tackles.
The former four-star linebacker committed to play for Florida State on Aug. 15, 2025, and became the Seminoles' highest-rated linebacker in the Mike Norvell era. He was the second-highest ranked signee in 2026 behind his teammate, Chuck Kennon.
Haubert and Luginbill said once Williams is healthy, he'll get minutes immediately on special teams.
His athleticism and tackling ability pave the way for Florida State's linebacker group to excel when he climbs the depth chart and receives meaningful snaps throughout his collegiate career.
"In time, Florida State's linebacker corps will benefit tremendously with his combination of outstanding speed, athleticism and explosive physicality as a tackler," Haubert and Luginbill wrote.
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