Ory Williams celebrates signing day with his family. Williams signed his National Letter of Intent to continue his football career at Louisiana State University marking the second athlete in two years to sign at an SEC Program behind Malik Presley
Photo submitted by SMCISD
Ory Willams signs the dotted line to continue his playing career at LSU. Williams was a two-time first team All-District offensive lineman with the Rattlers.
Daily Record photo by Colton McWilliams
Ory Williams takes the field for the Rattlers in their last home game against East Central. Williams helped anchor one of the strongest lines in the district for San Marocs.
Daily Record photo by Gerald Castillo
Williams signs his National Letter of Intent with LSU
It was a day for celebration in San Marcos as offensive lineman Ory Williams signed his national letter of intent to play for the Louisiana State Tigers. He becomes the second San Marcos High School Rattler in the past two years to sign with an SEC school behind now Vanderbilt basketball player Malik Presley.
For Williams, signing with LSU will be a moment he will remember forever.
“I’m going to celebrate this for years to come,” said Williams. “It’s been a dream of mine to sign with LSU, let alone play college ball, and get to play in the SEC. From now on, it’s just a long road of hard work. It feels great, but it’s time for the next chapter, time to turn that page.”
Williams anchored the Rattlers offensive line for the past three seasons, which included a playoff run during the 2022 season.
Williams was named 1st team All-District for the Rattlers in both the 2022 and 2023 seasons Since taking over the Rattlers in 2020, Head Coach John Walsh could see Williams’ skill and potential from miles away noting his ethics away from the gridiron make him just as special.
“Ory’s talent is there, but what makes him a tremendous person is his character on and off the field,” said Walsh. “He lights up the room when he enters and most 6’8 guys do not have that type of charisma but that is what makes Ory special.”
On choosing LSU over schools such as Texas A&M and Arkansas, Williams’ connection with Tigers Head Coach Brian Kelly was a major factor.
“[Me and Coach Kelly] we just connect,” said Williams. “I feel like we both have that personality and that charisma. I feel like the swag we both have, we put it together, and we can go a long way with that.”
Though Williams noted that going to LSU and competing for a starting spot will not be the easiest, he is ready for the challenge.
“LSU was really hard on telling me what college football is, how college football is and what to expect from college football,” said Williams. “It’s not gonna be easy. It’s going to be a lot of hard work. I feel like I’m mentally prepared for that.”
But despite the obstacles he will face down in Baton Rouge, Williams is excited to get started.
“I’m ecstatic,” said Williams. “I’m a little nervous, but it’s good to be nervous. I’m ready. I’m excited, very excited. It’s going to take hard work, perseverance, and responsibility. It’s going to take extra hours just standing from the rest of the crew, doing the little things, extra work. I know there’s gonna be a lot of people doing that extra work, but you gotta find more time to be the best you you can be.”
Williams has become one in a slew of San Marcos Rattler athletes to recently continue their career at the Division I level including Presley, Maggie Walsh, Kaden Gumbs, Kannon Webb, Jake Darling and Kutter Gage Webb.
As someone who has been raised in San Marcos, the ability to represent San Marcos at one of the highest levels of collegiate athletics is an opportunity Williams will not miss out on.
“For me personally, it feels good,” Williams said. “I was born here, I was raised here. It feels good to put on for my city and represent San Marcos in a good way. It’s been a dream.”
cmcwilliams @sanmarcosrecord.com Twitter: @ColtonBMc
