Hollywood Chaminade-Madonna Prep wide receiver Xavier Williams hasn't gotten much face time with Miami wide receivers coach Ron Dugans early in the recruiting process, but the 2018 Top247 prospect says that he can tell that he's already a fan of the Hurricanes ace recruiter.
Williams, who was at Miami this past weekend for Mark Richt's inaugural Paradise Camp, said at Tony Sand's DBU on Wednesday that he sees Dugans as more than just a coach on the field.
"I love Coach Dugans," Williams said. "We have talked. He's more of a mentor for me. I think he's someone that could teach me life lessons, because, you know, football doesn't last forever. He has just been telling me how to handle my money and stuff like that."
It's a unique pitch for Dugans, but one that appears to be working.
Williams said that he likes what he has seen thus far from Miami even though his parents want him to look at other schools around the country.
"My parents don't really want me to go to Miami, because they say it's too close. But every time I go, I feel like I'm home. It's like family. You can't really turn down Miami," Williams said. "I think [Coach Dugans] away from football and home can be like that second dad, and that really plays a big role."
While that all sounds positive form the Hurricanes, the rising junior says that his recruitment remains open. He camped at Clemson, South Carolina, Georgia and Florida back in June and added that he would like to see Alabama and Florida before he starts practices on August 1.
Still, even with the other schools in play, Miami made more than just an impression on him with alums like Ray Lewis and Antrel Rolle working the Paradise Camp.
"That's another thing," Williams said. "The alums. It's a big one. Hurricanes look out for Hurricanes and my mom was just telling me about all the players and how almost all of them have their money because of the life after football thing."
Williams (6-0, 180) had 617 receiving yards and 8 touchdowns this past season. He's pegged by 247Sports as the No. 68 overall prospect in the class of 2018 and the nation's No. 3 ranked athlete.
