4-Star RB Darrel Williams Commits to LSU over Several SEC Options

The LSU Tigers added dynamic running back Darrel Williams to their 2014 recruiting class Tuesday evening. The 4-star prospect pledged to the Tigers five days after decommitting from Arizona State, according to The Advocate writer Ross Dellenger.

Williams, a 6'0", 217-pound product of John Ehret High School (Marrero, La.), chose LSU from a lengthy offer sheet. The list includes SEC foes Georgia, Missouri, Auburn and Vanderbilt.

His recruitment heated up last month, when Tennessee, Florida, Wisconsin and LSU each extended late offers. Mounting nationwide attention caused Williams to reconsider his relationship with the Sun Devils.

He decided to decommit on Dec. 5, ending a pact with Arizona State that extended back to late August. LSU, a program already in play because of proximity, became an even more desirable destination earlier this week.

4-star running back Sione Palelei (Gonzales, La.) flipped his commitment from LSU to Oklahoma State on Monday, leaving the Tigers in search of talent in the offensive backfield.

Williams quickly filled the void.

According to The Advocate, Tigers coach Les Miles initially offered Williams as an "athlete." His eventual position in Baton Rouge wasn't clear until Palelei's departure opened the door at running back.

“I think Darrel wanted a shot at running back,” John Ehret coach Corey Lambert told The Advocate. “That’s what he wanted a spot at.”

Williams finished the regular season with 2,036 rushing yards and 27 touchdowns, per NOLA.com. He is presently the program's only running back commit, but that could change next month.

Leonard Fournette, the nation's top-ranked prospect at the position, is expected to decide between Alabama and LSU on Jan. 2 at the Under Armour All-American Game. If he chooses LSU, the recruiting outlook for Williams could become incredibly murky.

The Tigers' 2014 recruiting class features 15 players. The current crop of commits is rated 12th nationally and seventh in the SEC by 247Sports.