East Texas 25: No. 3 Carl Williams, DT, Lufkin

Lufkin defensive tackle Carl Williams describes recruiting as “a process.”

And while most football players his age would gladly trade places with him, Williams admits his situation is not without its hardships.

“The good part about the recruiting process is that I believe I’m narrowing down my options, and it’s making it easier from there,” he said. “But the bad part is making my decision. I mean it’s hard making the decision.”

Williams (6-4, 310) comes in at No. 3 on ETSN.fm’s East Texas 25, a list of the area’s top recruits in the 2019 class.

The Lufkin defender has 13 Division I FBS scholarship offers, including Arizona, Arkansas, Houston, Oklahoma, Oklahoma State, Ole Miss, and TCU.

But don’t expect a decision any time soon.

“I’m going to commit during the season,” Williams said. “Early in the season. It’s mostly because I’m still unsure about where I wanna go.”

Williams rates as a three-star prospect by 247sports.com. Recruiting analyst Gabe Brooks describes Williams as “a massive interior defender and the type of potentially scheme-versatile prospect who could play over the center or one of the guards.”

So far this summer Williams has made two official visits to Arkansas and Arizona. He’s been on unofficial visits to Oklahoma State, Texas, and Texas A&M.

Williams recently told Danny West of HawgSports.com, “The atmosphere (at Arkansas) is amazing. It’s really like no other. The people here are just great. They’re kind. It’s not just football, it’s the culture around here.”

Arkansas certainly has a built-in advantage with Williams and other East Texas prospects on its coaching staff. Jeff Traylor, who coached Gilmer High School to three state championships in 2004, 2009, and 2014, was hired by new Razorbacks head coach Jeff Traylor this offseason.

Williams is on a Lufkin team that will have big expectations this fall. The Panthers return several impact players from last year’s Class 6A Division II quarterfinalist.

Lufkin, which is dropping to 5A, has six players on its roster with Division I offers — Williams, defensive ends Breylon Garcia and Javasia Brunson, and cornerback Damond McKelvey in the 2019 class, 2020 recevier Ja’Lynn Polk and 2020 safety Jerrin Thompson.