This has previously been noted, but I finally had some time to check in a bit on Zoey Williams. Williams is a 5'10, 185 lb. cornerback from Sugar Land (Dulles), TX. ESPN.com ranks Zoey Williams as the 48th best cornerback prospect in the nation. Both ESPN and Scout.com list Williams as a three star prospect. Do yourself a favor and watch this video. Williams has excellent closing speed and looks like he might just have a nasty streak when it comes to hitting people. More after the jump.
The signing was first reported by Scout.com. Scout notes that Williams chose UTEP over offers from Memphis, New Mexico, Tulsa, Wyoming, and UNLV.
Scout had this to say on Zoey:
As a junior in 2009 Williams collected 69 tackles and broke up eight passes. He took home NUC Combine MVP honors after posting some decent combine numbers (4.57 40-yard dash, 4.4 pro-shuttle, and 34-inch vertical), but he really shined when locking down some very talented receivers in the 1v1 action.
ESPN notes:
Williams is a versatile athlete with a lot of natural, unrefined ability as a skill prospect. Lacks great height as a defensive back but is really well-built with good body length assisting his range. Has upside at corner. Pedal and footwork need to be refined but he's a savvy, underneath.
ESPN considers Williams to be the second best prospect in UTEP's 2011 class after McKinney Boyd athlete Jonovan Griffin. He's fast, aggressive, and has a knack for making breaks on the ball. He looks like he's every bit of that 5'10 so I don't see his height being a real problem in the C-USA. This is an excellent pickup for the Miners as Zoey might be one of those rare freshman who can contribute right away.