It's no secret that football has become a passing-friendly game. Instead of dominating the trenches and playing physical, offenses in college and the NFL now focus on airing it out to elite receivers on the outside.
However, the speed and athleticism that makes for great pass-catchers can also be used to stop them from wrecking a defense's game plan.
Checking in at 6'1 and 180 pounds, William Wells is a jack-of-all trades wide receiver, cornerback, and kick returner out of Florida's Suncoast High School, located an hour north of Miami.
In a video breakdown with GMTM's Joey Grant and former USC quarterback Max Browne, the two took a look at Wells' game tape, pointing out what makes him a player to watch in the class of 2021.
What immediately struck Joey and Max was William's ability to set himself for a catch and then turn on a dime upfield for a touchdown. His speed on the outside gives offenses the chance to turn five-yard catches into fifty-yard touchdowns, as well as keeping opposing cornerbacks on their toes for sixty minutes.
While on offense, Max continued to be impressed by how Wells can play on both the inside and outside of any formation. Browne stated that "I like how they're putting him in the slot. You don't always see, at the high school level, your tallest and fast[est] receivers going inside."
Wells' versatility was also on full display during his time at Suncoast. In addition to playing at receiver and defensive back, William even took wildcat snaps from the pocket, showcasing his elusiveness from anywhere on the field. Wells was even able to throw a dime down the field, showcasing an arm opposing defenses have to account for.
Another facet of William's game is his talent receiving kickoffs and punts. On this play, he's able to dart in and out of coverage, going from sideline to sideline in an effort to find open holes. It takes agility and durability to handle returning kicks on a consistent basis, two traits Wells clearly possesses.
On the defensive side of the ball, William has a knack for being a hard hitter, as evidenced by this play, where he jars the ball out from the opposition with a fundamentally strong hit to the chest, leading with his shoulder. Max and Joey were also quick to point out when William would play different positions on defense, such as strong safety and outside linebacker.
As noted by Max, "The market is hot for tall, athletic corners at the next level." Wells' size, strength, and speed, coupled with overall football knowledge from playing on both sides of the field, make him a solid defensive back who should only get better in college.
Joey praised Wells for his excellent pursuit while lining up on defense. Just take a look at the hustle he displays at cornerback during a run that most players would have given up on. Wells' determination and grit is something that has become harder to find amongst touted athletes at both the high school and college levels.
As a senior for Suncoast this past year, Wells earned a reputation as a leader for a young team during a hectic 2020 season. When discussing the prized recruit's role on his squad, head coach Jimmy Clark stated that “He’s a Power 5 defensive back, that’s all there is to it, and we play him at receiver just because he’s such a great athlete, but he’s our leader out there.”
There is obviously more room for Wells to grow as a player. Part of this will be determining a primary position to focus on, which will likely be defensive back. However, his skill on offense and special teams is not something coaching staffs will squander, giving number seven the chance to make impact plays at any point in the game. Wells, who recently committed to the University of Central Florida, will be a major asset for head coach Josh Heupel and the Knights going forward.
With top of the line speed, a tall and athletic frame, along with the knowledge that comes with playing all over the field, the future looks bright for William Wells. With the added experience and training that comes with being a collegiate athlete, the sky is the limit for this elite athlete.
