Darrell Williams is one of the best players from the Tampa, Florida area in the Class of 2025.
The 5-foot-3, 136-pound Williams, who attends Baypoint Middle, is a versatile player that works as a wide receiver, tight end and defensive end.
Williams has played for these teams so far: Tjj Tasco and Wildwood Recreation Center (basketball) and Northeast Bandits (football).
No matter the opponent, on each snap Williams is determined to give it his all.
Williams is going all out.
The motor is always at full throttle whenever Williams steps between the lines.
“My mindset is to hurt /hit anything coming my way, to catch every pass as possible and
to watch the ball in the game so we won’t get a penalty,” Williams said. “I want to make my opponent have to grind for anything they get.”
Williams has great passion and energy whenever he’s on the gridiron. Williams tells why he enjoys the game of football so much.
“The thing I love most about playing football is catching the football and hitting defenders,” Williams said. “I love to make big plays and make everyone in the crowd cheer and clap.”
Williams has learned many valuable lessons from playing football that he applies to his everyday life.
The main one is applying perspective to all situations.
“Football has taught me so much about life,” Williams said. “Playing football taught me that you can’t always get what you want.”
Williams recalls his favorite football memory.
“When we played in the jamboree, the Deejay screen pass and that’s my favorite because that was my first offensive play,” Williams said. “It was a great game that I’ll never forget.”
Ron Hemingway is in his first season coaching Williams with the Northeast Bandits organization.
Hemingway explains the best parts of Williams’ game.
“DJ brings a physical nature to his position at wide receiver. He has strong hands, good height, and is a hard runner after catching the football. There are usually two or three people trying to bring him down after catches. DJ’s athleticism and high IQ has helped him adjust and learn how to play defensive end,” Hemingway said. “DJ has been able to demonstrate good hand eye technique while looking the football in. He has extremely large hands which seems to swallow the ball at times. We’ve seen him make one hand catches in practice that we’re impressive. DJ has been picking up techniques on playing defensive end and has been making progression.”
Williams takes his role as one of the leaders on the team very seriously. Williams makes sure he’s a daily positive influence on his peers.
“I be a good teammate by clapping it up on a good play or just giving compliments,” Williams said. “I try to encourage my teammates as much as I can.”
Hemingway adds that Williams is one of those consummate teammates that every squad needs to be successful.
“DJ demonstrates leadership by communicating with and encouraging his teammates,” Hemingway said.
Williams is appreciative of having amazing male role models that are supportive.
“My coaches have helped make me a better player and person,” Williams said. “Coach told me to have self-discipline at all times.”
Hemingway is an advocate of Williams’ capabilities.
“In our jamboree recently he made some nice catches that continued to give our offense momentum down the football field,” Hemingway said.
In addition to making clutch plays, Williams also has a high level of football IQ as well.
Williams has excellent football awareness that puts him in position to thrive.
“DJ is an exceptional student in the classroom,” Williams said. “He’s starting to understand depending on how he’s being defended when to use his outstanding jumping ability to make catches.”
Williams is on the grind to perfect and hone his craft in any way possible.
“DJ’s work ethic is fueled by his motivation to be great at whatever he set his mind to. DJ works out on his own at home, is very self motivated and attends strenuous football workouts,” Hemingway said. “DJ also got a chance to attend a couple of wide receiver camps during the offseason to work on his craft.”
Hemingway explains why he compares Williams to this player.
“Dj reminds me of a young Anquan Boldin,” Hemingway said. “Same physical appearance and hard to bring down.”
Meanwhile, Williams patterns his play after these standouts.
“I look up to Jadeveon Clowney and Odell Beckham because I feel they are the best at doing what they do,” Williams said.
Williams is constantly striving for greatness in everything that he does.
“On the field I want to do what I can to help the team become champions and off the field I want to do good in school, play basketball and make good grades,” Williams said.
Before the pros, Williams dreams of being the next great LSU Tiger.
“I like how the coaching staff works and they have a great tradition,” Williams said. “It would be really cool to play at Death Valley for Coach Ed Orgeron.”
Williams lists ELA as his favorite subject in school.
“I really like writing,” Williams said. “It’s a very fun and interesting subject to me.”
Hemingway outlines the next areas of improvement for Williams.
“This is DJ’s first year playing organizational football. He’s picking up learning how to play wide receiver and defensive end pretty well for a first year player. I’ve been watching DJ play recreational basketball for the past two years. I knew he loved basketball and had never played organized football before,” Hemingway said. “With DJ being so competitive he decided to go through our off season workouts and continue playing football this season. Our coaches are very excited about his first year at Northeast Bandits.”
Hemingway believes the sky is the limit as long as Williams continues to stay hungry.
“DJ will be very successful at whatever he decides to do in life,” Hemingway said. “This is based on his strong self determination and self discipline. He has the drive and will to make all of his dreams come true.”
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