Maurice Williams Breaks Down His Commitment to Washington and What Sets Him Apart on the Field
On Christmas Eve, Graham-Kapowsin (WA) defensive back Maurice Williams gave Husky fans an early gift by committing to Washington. Now settled in as the second pledge in the Huskies’ 2027 class, Williams is opening up about why he chose UW, what drew him to the program, and what makes him a difference-maker on the field.
Turns out, the timing of his commitment was no accident. Williams actually made his decision a day before fellow Ford Sports Performance (FSP) teammate Braylon Pope announced his own commitment.
"I was waiting on an edit," Williams said with a laugh. "But I thought it was cool that he committed too.
We’re both FSP guys, so we’ve played together for a while. We’re rivals on the field-Sumner and Graham-Kapowsin-but we’re good friends too.
It’ll be fun to go up against him as seniors and then team up in college."
Why Washington?
For Williams, the decision came down to trust and development-two pillars of Washington’s reputation, especially when it comes to defensive backs.
"My connection with the coaches and how much they believe in me-and I believe in them-that’s what made the difference," Williams said. "They’re known for producing DBs, and I feel like J-Rich (John Richardson) and Taylor Mays can help me get to where I want to be."
While playing close to home is a bonus, Williams made it clear that wasn’t the driving force behind his commitment.
"It’s great that I get to play in front of my family and friends, so that’s big too," he added. "But that really didn’t weigh into my decision much."
Williams had the chance to take in the game-day atmosphere at Husky Stadium this past season, attending Washington’s matchups against Ohio State, Illinois, and UC Davis. What stood out? The energy-and the people.
"The fans and the way they treated you is special," he said. "The people around the program, the players, the staff-everyone treats you like family. That’s another reason I wanted to be a part of it."
The Recruiting Picture
Washington earned Williams’ commitment over a solid list of offers, including Arizona State, BYU, Boise State, Oregon State, Washington State, Idaho, New Mexico, UNLV, and Sacramento State. He was also on the radar of several Power Five programs like Michigan, Utah, and Oregon, who were actively evaluating him during the process.
On the Field: A Shutdown Specialist
Williams’ junior season had its ups and downs-he transferred from Yelm to Graham-Kapowsin and missed the first four games due to eligibility rules. Then came an injury that limited him to just four games total. Even so, he made his presence felt, finishing with 12 tackles and nine pass breakups.
"I’m good at taking away one side of the field," he said confidently. "My size, my technique, my mentality, and my confidence-that’s what sets me apart.
I feel like I can compete with anyone. I love shutting down my side.
No one threw at me. I take that as respect."
That shutdown mindset is exactly what Washington fans can look forward to. Williams plays with the kind of swagger and discipline that elite corners need-confident, but not careless. He understands his role and embraces the challenge of being the guy opposing quarterbacks avoid.
What’s Next?
Williams isn’t enrolled for early graduation just yet, but he’s working toward it. If all goes according to plan, he hopes to be on campus in time for spring football in March of 2027.
For now, he’s focused on finishing strong in high school-both in the classroom and on the field. But make no mistake: the Huskies are getting a player who already sees the game like a college DB. And with his mindset, tools, and coaching staff backing him, Williams is setting himself up to be the next in a long line of standout Washington defensive backs.