Florida coach Billy Napier flips Louisiana football commit from Cajuns to Gators

Tim Buckley, Lafayette Daily Advertiser
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New Florida coach Billy Napier has flipped a Louisiana Ragin’ Cajuns football recruit to the Gators.

Longtime Cajuns commit Christian Williams decommitted from UL and committed to Florida on Friday.

Said Williams on Twitter: "I first off wanna thank all the coaches at The University Of Louisiana/Lafayette for recruiting me and giving me the opportunity to play with them, but with that being said i would like to announce that i will be flipping my commitment to the Florida Gators."

Napier also has taken at least seven staffers with him since being hired as Dan Mullen's successor, including defensive coordinator Patrick Toney, running backs coach Jabbar Juluke, assistant offensive line coach Darnell Stapleton and strength and conditioning coach Mark Hocke.

Williams is a 6-foot-4, 320-pound offensive lineman from Thurgood Marshall High in Missouri City, Texas.

He committed to UL on June 30.

Head Coach Billy Napier as the Louisiana Ragin' Cajuns celebrate on the field after winning the Sunbelt Championship game against App state Saturday, Dec. 4, 2021.
Head Coach Billy Napier as the Louisiana Ragin' Cajuns celebrate on the field after winning the Sunbelt Championship game against App state Saturday, Dec. 4, 2021.

The reported flip comes five days before Wednesday’s opening of the three-day NCAA early signing period.

Williams had no other reported offers besides the one from the No. 17 Cajuns.

He’s the No. 209 recruit in Texas, according to 247Sports, and Napier’s first commit since going from UL to Florida, according to multiple reports.

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Williams is the fourth Cajuns recruit to decommit in the last few weeks, joining three other Texas high school products, offensive lineman Van Wells, tight end Hayden Hansen and edge rusher/tight end Camron Cooper.

Wells received a recent offer from Louisiana Tech and Cooper has received offers from SMU and Syracuse since decommitting from UL.

Hansen received an offer from Sam Houston State one day after decommitting from UL and is visiting UTSA this weekend. He also received a visit from new Cajuns coach Michael Desormeaux earlier this week, one day after Desormeaux’s promotion from tight ends coach/co-offensive coordinator was announced by UL.

This article originally appeared on Lafayette Daily Advertiser: Florida football coach Billy Napier flips Christian Williams to Gators