Woodbridge Running Back De'Antwan Williams Commits to Rutgers

Woodbridge senior running back De'Antwan Williams, one of the nation's most coveted college recruits, orally committed to Rutgers on Saturday at the conclusion of his official visit to the school.

Rated by Rivals.com as the No. 14 overall running back recruit in the 2009 class, Williams chose the Scarlet Knights over West Virginia, Alabama, Maryland and Pittsburgh. The 5-foot-9, 208-pounder rushed for 1,950 yards and scored 32 touchdowns this season, leading the Vikings to an unbeaten regular season and the Virginia AAA Cardinal District championship.

Rutgers "really came after him and did everything they could do to get him," Woodbridge Coach Keith King said. "They couldn't have told him any more how much they wanted him. They won him over."

Williams finished his four-year varsity career with 6,909 yards and 83 touchdowns, placing him sixth all-time on the Virginia High School League career rushing list.

Rutgers made a serious push to secure a commitment from Williams two months ago, likening his running style to former star tailback Ray Rice, now with the Baltimore Ravens. Coaches from Rutgers visited Woodbridge twice in the past month and a half, flying in via helicopter both times.

Rutgers Coach Greg Schiano was at Woodbridge's 45-20 victory over Freedom-Woodbridge on Oct. 31, a game in which Williams took four straight handoffs on the opening possession to go 65 yards for a touchdown. Williams sprained his ankle in the next quarter and did not return, but King said Schiano had seen enough.

"He said: 'Coach, I saw all I needed to see. He's exactly what we're looking for,' " King said.