[GoRU]

"Recruiting Notes" by Loudoun Extra Points | LoudounExtra.com | The Washington Post

We had a comment on the blog not too long ago asking if we had heard anything about Loudoun County standout TE-LB Chase Williams receiving an early offer from Missouri. I did some reporting and can tell you that while Williams has not received an offer yet, he is drawing plenty of interest from the school.

Williams was initially planning on attending Missouri's junior day this weekend, but has instead opted to stay close to home and will be attending Maryland's junior day instead, his brother Blake Williams told me.

Blake Williams and his father, Gregg Williams, were both hired by the New Orleans Saints recently, but Blake told me that he is "99 percent sure" Chase will be back in Loudoun County and that something drastic would have to happen for Williams to move to Louisiana.

In addition, Chase is expecting an in-school visit on Wednesday from the head coach and recruiting coordinator of a major local ACC program, and it could be that Williams will receive an early offer at that time.

To date, the only offer he has received is from New Mexico State, where newly hired head coach DeWayne Walker has promised Williams plenty of playing time as a freshman. Walker formerly worked on Gregg Williams' staff with the Washington Redskins.

Williams has a list of favorites, though that list is expected to change. Virginia Tech, Missouri and Miami are all at the top of the list, though he has yet to really delve deep into the recruiting process with Maryland, Penn State, Michigan, Alabama and Southern Cal – all of whom have reached out to Williams recently. Those programs have been turning on the heat and Williams is planning to schedule some unofficial visits for later this spring. Williams did take recruiting trips to Penn State and Virginia Tech. He was in attendance at the VT-Virginia game and had a strong impression of the Blacksburg school.

Other schools showing interest in the form of letters, phone calls and emails include Virginia, Duke, North Carolina, LSU, Florida, Georgia, Boise State, Nebraska, Clemson, Stanford, Princeton, UCLA, Colorado, Boston College and South Carolina.

There is no doubt Williams has become one of the top recruits in the area, perhaps in the country, and already has offers to attend nationwide passing camps for Scout.com's top recruits.

He is being recruited as an athlete because of his ability to play both linebacker and tight end. He was an honorable mention All-Met linebacker, but was up for consideration as a tight end as well. And with his frame and athleticism and the possibility of filling out even more, Williams may be best suited on the offensive side of the ball, where he looked like a natural pass catcher and playmaker. Williams told me when I interviewed him for a feature story last year that he preferred the defensive side of the ball, however.