Buchholz's Justin Williams displays loyalty once again, signs with Florida football

Buchholz's Justin Williams displays loyalty once again, signs with Florida footballStory byThe Gainesville SunNoah Ram, Gainesville SunThu, December 4, 2025 at 9:02 AM UTC·4 min read

On Early National Signing Day, most high school seniors prepare to enroll in January far from home and in unfamiliar surroundings.

Justin Williams will be four miles from home and at a school he grew up going to games at.

AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisement

The Buchholz football ATH stayed local and signed the necessary documents to enroll with Florida football Wednesday on Early NSD, along with Evan Walker – who will enroll at Central Michigan in the Fall.

Williams committed to Florida in June, but like with all UF commits, there was much fear he’d back out due to Billy Napier’s firing and the hiring of Tulane coach Jon Sumrall.

Instead, Williams put pen to paper and became one of 15 to play under Sumrall in 2026. As the No. 9 athlete in the class and the No. 24 prospect in Florida, Williams is the third-highest signee for the Gators.

He spoke to Sumrall Tuesday night. He loved the conversation as Sumrall displayed the personality all saw during his introductory press conference Monday.

AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisement

“He lit a fire in my heart,” Williams said.

For those who know Williams, it’s no surprise that he stuck with his word. Coach Mark Whittemore praised his loyalty and that when Williams wants something, he sticks to it. And he wanted to be a Gator.

“Even here at Buchholz, he’s steadied the ship and has been a rock for us, both on and off the field,” Williams said. “He’s never wavered.”

The coach has been vocal that he’s not like a normal 4-star athlete due to his unselfishness. It’s a trait seen in many top Bobcats over the years and is one of the reasons BHS has been one of the best public schools in the state in the last half decade.

AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisement

“It makes him different than just a guy who racks up some stars and might or might not leas his team to championships,” Whittemore said. “He’s won four regional championships. No team in Gainesville has ever done that.”

The 5-foot-11, 190 pound prospect reached new heights in 2024 by becoming the first Florida high school football player since Devin Hester with 1,000 rushing and 1,000 receiving yards. His breakout came a year prior with a team-leading 1,005 receiving yards and 17 total touchdowns.

Defensive coordinator Chuck Bell was head coach that season and didn’t expect this out of the scrawny kid with braces. Middle school football experts raved about him, but nothing screamed physical specimen. He worked for this.

Buchholz wide receiver Justin Williams (13) hails in a touchdown pass under pressure from Oviedo cornerback Jaiden McNeil (12) during the 2025 FHSAA Football 6A quarter final at Citizens Field in Gainesville, FL on Thursday, November 13, 2025. [Alan Youngblood/Gainesville Sun]

“It was clear he was an absolute competitor and someone who could do a multitude of things,” Bell said. “He knows that if we asked him to do certain things at certain spots over the years, we need it to be successful and he hasn’t shied away from it.”

AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisement

For example, he gets angry when Whittemore takes him off special teams. He’s played safety this season and helped win the Eastside game in September with a forced fumble.

“If you’re an offensive coordinator and you see #13 back deep, it’s hard to say ‘Hey, let’s throw it at that guy,”’ Bell said.

The senior wants a ring with Buchholz, and that’s why he plays defense. The Bobcats have lost in the state semifinals all three years, and he wants to make sure this isn’t a fourth.

“They say high school is the best part of your life, and I want to have something I can remember,” Williams said.

The receiver carried his mentality into conversations with Sumrall, making it clear his commitment to winning.

AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisement

“I feel like no matter where I am on the field, we’re going to win that play,” Williams said.

Billy Gonzales was a large reason Williams stayed true. The interim coach recruited Williams as the wide receivers coach and talked with him throughout the process.

Florida wide receiver Dallas Wilson (6) hauls in a touch down scores during the first half an NCAA football game in Gainesville, FL on Saturday, October 4, 2025. [Alan Youngblood/Gainesville Sun]

“That’s my guy, and he seems confident in staying there,” Williams said.

The room might have Gonzales leading it again, but it will have Dallas Wilson and Vernell Brown III – two of the best WRs in the Class of 2025. Williams spoke of his excitement to join them, assuming he bulks up first.

“I’m really excited to see how big I can get,” he said. “I see what they did with Myles (Graham), and I want that to happen to me.”

AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisement

The Bobcats host West Broward at Citizens Field Friday at 7:30 p.m. for a spot in the Class 6A state championship game. The winner will face either Armwood or West Boca Raton December 12 at 12:30 p.m. at Pitbull Stadium in Miami.

Noah Ram covers Florida Gators athletics and Gainesville-area high school sports for The Gainesville Sun, GatorSports.com and the USA TODAY Network. Contact him at [email protected]. Follow him on X @Noah_ram1 and on Instagram @ramreporter. Read his coverage of the Gators’ national championship basketball season in “CHOMP-IONS!” — a hardcover coffee-table collector’s book from The Sun. Details at Florida.ChampsBook.com

This article originally appeared on The Gainesville Sun: Buchholz football ATH Justin Williams signs with Florida and Jon Sumrall

AdvertisementAdvertisement