Smiths Station’s Deondrae Williams chooses Naval Academy

Four months after Smiths Station’s Deondrae Williams committed to Navy, the senior defensive lineman got his chance to sign on the dotted line.

Williams officially signed to play football at the Naval Academy on Wednesday as part of college football’s new early signing period. The 6-foot-1, 235-pound Williams, who has been accepted by the Academy, celebrated the moment in a room packed with coaches, friends and family.

“I’m so excited right now,” Williams said. “It’s been a little crazy and a little stressful, just waiting for this day to sign. I just can’t believe that it’s over finally.”

Williams made it apparent that signing now was a no-brainer. He said he knew Navy was the place for him when he took his official visit back before the season started. Along with the family atmosphere that surrounded the team, Williams also learned the academy would help him get through medical school to achieve his goal of becoming an orthopedic physician.

“They have a good, strong football program,” Williams said. “It was also (the academics). They have a really good educational program, and I’m looking forward to pushing forward in my career choice.”

Williams’ commitment was the high point in what was an otherwise trying fall. He suffered a fractured tibula in the third game of the Panthers season, which forced the senior to sit out six of the team’s final seven games.

Navy’s offer remained despite Williams’ injury, and if Wednesday was any indication, the Midshipmen coaches can’t wait to bring him into the fold.

As former Smiths Station head coach Adam Fossett talked about Williams, Fossett’s phone started ringing. It was Navy assistant coach Ashley Ingram, who was apparently eager to receive Williams’ official paperwork.

Williams said the toughest part of leaving Smiths Station is all the friends and family who will still be here when he heads off to Annapolis, Md. Many of those same people made Wednesday’s ceremony a standing-room only event, which is certainly something Williams will likely never forget.

“It shows all the support I have and all the love everybody’s been showing me over the years,” Williams said. “I’m happy everyone could come out and support me.”

This story was originally published December 20, 2017 at 11:37 AM with the headline "Smiths Station’s Deondrae Williams chooses Naval Academy."