Getting to Know: Chris Williamson
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Florida already has one of the deepest secondaries in the SEC heading into the 2015 season, but the Gators added to their numbers this past recruiting cycle with four-star cornerback Chris Williamson.
After dealing with a hip injury for much of his junior season, a strong senior campaign accelerated and amplified Williamson's recruitment. A former Gainesville (Ga.) High School standout who played on both sides of the ball, the 6-foot, 185-pound Williamson received a handful of offers but picked Florida over Michigan, North Carolina and others two days before National Signing Day. He said he decided on the Gators on his way back from his official visit at UF on Jan. 30, the last one he took overall.
Williamson, who graduates from high school later this week, plans to enroll at the start of the Summer B semester in late June and dorm with Gators early enrollee Daniel Imatorbhebhe.
Inside the Gators caught up with Williamson for the latest segment in our "Getting to Know" series for the incoming 2015 signees.
What led to your decision to attend the University of Florida?
Williamson: I had a really positive official visit, but there were definitely a couple of things that stuck out to me. I built a relationship really fast with the new coaching staff, and that was definitely something that was important. But when it comes to Florida, Florida is a name that means something. Florida's definitely got a history of putting defensive backs in the NFL. When I chose Florida, it was not about what Florida can do for me now - it's what Florida could do for me in the future. With Florida being one of the top 10 public universities, I can go play in the SEC and get a great education as well. It was no decision. I knew Florida was right after I visited.
What was your favorite part of your recruitment process?
Williamson: My favorite part was definitely official visits. That was a lot of fun. Stuffed my face a lot, put on a couple pounds. The official visits were definitely the most fun part. Also throughout recruiting, you build relationships with other players and stuff. Those are the guys that you grow up with. You end up following each other. Whether or not they go to your school, those relationships are something that will last forever.
What was your least favorite part of your recruitment process?
Williamson: For me, my recruitment happened really late. The in-home visits, those were crazy because there was somebody in my house every day. Oh goodness. Somebody was always at my house. Some days, I just wanted to come home and take a nap, but I had an in-home visit with a coach.
Are there any guys from the 2015 recruiting class that you're particularly close with so far?
Williamson: Daniel Imatorbhebhe, Nick Buchanan, Tyler Jordan, Brandon Sandifer. Honestly, I'm close with all of the Florida guys. We've got one big huge group that we all talk in pretty constantly.
How do the coaches envision your role on the team moving forward? What have the coaches said to you about that?
Williamson: They see that I can be developed to be a great player at the University of Florida. One thing that the coaches respect about me a lot, and which a lot of other schools knew, Florida's got DBs and they've got good DBs at that. One thing that the coaching staff at UF really respected was the fact that I could have gone somewhere else and had a better chance of starting, but I came to Florida where there are already great DBs and I'm coming to compete and work and get myself better and better and develop as a player. So that's one thing that the coaching staff at Florida respected. Some recruits, it might have shied them away. With me, that's something I embraced.
What have your interactions with Jim McElwain been like so far?
Williamson: They're good. I love Coach Mac. I think he's the coach of the future. I feel like he can get Florida back to those winning ways. Sometimes, those 2016 guys who are getting recruited by Florida will ask me about Coach Mac. And I have a strong in belief in him and so do my parents.
How about defensive coordinator Geoff Collins?
Williamson: Funny story. Coach Collins was actually coached by my high school coach now, Bruce Miller, back in his high school days. We've got that connection as well. Coach Collins has been a good, high-energy guy. He loves defense. He really wants to get in there as soon as possible because he sees that I could get on the field as a freshman. As one of the only DBs we signed, he sees a role for me.
How about defensive backs coach Kirk Callahan?
Williamson: Me and Coach Callahan, we've gotten along really good. I'm his first corner at Florida, so that relationship - we've got a special bond. I can't wait to get to Florida and play for him.
If it weren't for Florida, where would you have signed?
Williamson: That's a tough one. It would have been North Carolina or Michigan. They're kind of 2A and 2B.
Have you decided on a college major yet?
Williamson: I want to do telecommunications.
If you could play any team at home in the Swamp who would it be?
Williamson: I'd probably say Ohio State. That would be an interesting match-up with them being returning national champions. Urban Meyer, him coming back to his old stomping grounds. That would be an intriguing match-up.
Do you have any superstitions or rituals in your personal life for before a game?
Williamson: If I had a bad game in a certain pair of gloves, I wouldn't use those gloves. I'd have to get a new pair.
Which NFL team is your favorite?
Williamson: I'm a diehard Patriots fan. When I was young I used to go to school with a guy who was a Patriots fan. He was my best friend. Being around him, it kind of just rubbed off on me.
If you were to eventually become a first round NFL draft choice, what is the first thing you would buy?
Williamson: Honestly, I'd probably get my mom a new house. I'd do something for my family.
If you could play with any former college athlete, who would it be and why?
Williamson: Offensive side, I'd say Reggie Bush because he was something exciting to watch. Just watching him play in college, he was one of the most exciting players I've ever seen. On defense, of course I'd go with Joe Haden. My favorite cornerback, a Florida boy. I've been trying to model my game after him. I would have loved to play with a guy like him.
Who is your favorite athlete outside of football?
Williamson: Easily LeBron James. I kind of like him because everybody else hates him. I love that people hate on LeBron, but he's one of the greatest athletes to come through the NBA.
What is one thing that Gator fans would be surprised to know about you?
Williamson: Technically growing up, when it comes to college football I didn't really have one main team. I had a couple teams that I rooted for, and Florida was one I heavily rooted for when they had Tim Tebow and all those guys on there winning national championships under Urban.
What's your favorite genre of music to listen to?
Williamson: Rap. I like a couple of artists, including Lucci.
What is your favorite TV show?
Williamson: Sports, that's honestly all I watch. I don't really watch the reality or the drama shows. I'm a straight sports fan.
What is your favorite movie?
Williamson: I've got to go with Furious 7. I know it's a recent one, but that's one of the better movies that I've ever seen. It was a great one.
Do you have a favorite meal?
Williamson: I love seafood with a passion.
Who would you most want to trade places with for one day?
Williamson: Probably Floyd Mayweather. I'd love to see what it's like to be like him for a day, of course with the money and how's he living. He's living life honestly. A hundred-plus cars, I could get used to that.
If you had your choice of anyone on the planet, who would you go out with for one dream date?
Williamson: Mine would either be Kylie Jenner or Zendaya.
Name one thing you can't live without.
Williamson: My phone. My parents will probably tell you my phone is in my hands 25/8. That's what they'll say.
What is on your bucket list? Name three things you want to do before dying.
Williamson: I want to go skydiving. I definitely want to travel the world - no particular places; I just want to travel. Last one, I wish I could chill with Tom Brady.