Miami isn’t backing off when it comes to one of Florida State’s top defensive back commits.
On Monday, Mekhi Williams - a four-star safety out of Lennard High School in Ruskin, Florida - shared that Hurricanes defensive backs coach Zac Etheridge made a visit. The message was short and polite - “Thank you @ZacEtheridge4 for stopping by!” - but the visit itself sends a louder message: Miami’s still in the picture.
Williams, listed at 6-foot-2 and 167 pounds, has been committed to Florida State since March 2025. And to be clear, there haven’t been many signs that he’s looking to back away from that pledge.
The Seminoles have put in the time and built a strong relationship, and in today’s recruiting world, that kind of consistency still matters. But that doesn’t mean other programs won’t shoot their shot - especially when the talent is this good.
And make no mistake, Williams is the kind of player who gets staffs out on the road. He’s currently ranked No. 10 at safety and No. 8 overall in Florida by ESPN, which also puts him at No. 91 in the ESPN Junior 300 with a Scout Grade of 82. Other recruiting services are right in the same neighborhood - 247Sports, for example, has him No. 133 nationally, No. 12 at safety, and No. 15 in the state.
On the field, Williams backs up the rankings with production. In the 2025 season, he totaled 33 tackles, including 18 solo stops, and picked off two passes.
His ability to turn defense into offense is also worth noting - he’s racked up 110 interception return yards across his varsity career, including 75 of those in the 2024-25 season alone. That kind of playmaking ability stands out, especially in a game where turnovers and field position often swing outcomes.
Miami, meanwhile, has already assembled a strong group of defensive backs for the 2026 class. The Hurricanes have signed six high school DBs so far:
- Jaelen Waters, CB, Armwood (St. Petersburg, Fla.)
- Brody Jennings, DB, Mandarin (Jacksonville, Fla.)
- Camdin Portis, CB, Myers Park (Charlotte, N.C.)
- Cortez Redding, DB, Jonesboro (Atlanta)
- Jontavius Wyman, DB, Jonesboro (Atlanta)
- **JJ Dunnigan Jr. **, DB, Manhattan (Manhattan, Kan.)
It’s a solid mix of corners and safeties from talent-rich areas, and the depth of the group shows Miami isn’t lacking in the secondary. But when a player like Williams is still answering the door - even just to say hello - you make the visit.
Flipping a long-time commit like Williams is never easy. But in recruiting, momentum can shift quickly. And for a program like Miami, which continues to push for elite talent in its own backyard, there’s no harm in keeping the conversation going.