Finishing strong

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. | Darrell Williams finished his high school career Friday the way he wanted.

His team won, and he made several plays to make sure it did.

Williams, the four-star linebacker from Hoover, Ala. and Auburn commitment, had three tackles, a tackle-for-loss, a fumble recovery and two interceptions for Team Highlight in a 46-6 win over Team Armour in the Under Armour All-America Game at Tropicana Field.

"It feels really good to perform well the last time I suit up as a high schooler," Williams said after the game. "Everybody out here is the best of the best so it feels good to perform well at this level."

Williams started and finished the game with big plays. His first interception came in the first half with Team Armour threatening to score. Williams dropped into coverage, made a break on the ball, intercepted it in the end zone and returned it 50 yards.

His final high school stat and second interception came late in the fourth quarter when he made a diving catch of a tipped pass by game MVP Byron Cowart.

"I saw the first one coming because I had the receiver pretty locked up," Williams said. "The second one, I was hurrying to get to the flats - I had the flats and curl - and (Cowart) tipped it and I caught it."

It was a perfect ending to his career, a perfect ending to a week spent in Tampa with some of the nation's top prospects.

"I loved it," Williams said. "I really appreciate it. I'm really blessed. Everybody out here is really blessed to be here. To be able to come out here and play at this level, it's a blessing.

"It's been a great experience going up against all of this talent."

Williams now turns his attention to Auburn, the school where he plans to spend the next four years. He's excited about his future at Auburn. He's excited about playing under Will Muschamp, the Tigers' new defensive coordinator.

"It's really big," Williams said of Muschamp's hiring. "That is a big deal. I think he'll do really well and I'm excited to see what he does."

Williams met Muschamp before Christmas for the first time.

"He came to my house," Williams said. "He's a really good guy and a great coach. We had a good talk. He told me all of his plans for Auburn."

Williams will get to see Muschamp again in two weeks. That's when he and several other top recruits will be in Auburn for official visits. Williams said he has not set up any other visits, but could still take one to Alabama.

"I feel very good about Auburn," Williams said. "I have always felt really good about Auburn. "

Big difference

Williams was one of six Auburn commitments to play in the all-star game, but the only one on Team Highlight.

The other five - four-star linebacker Richard McBryde, four-star athlete/running back Kerryon Johnson, four-star athlete/receiver D'Anfernee McGriff, four-star safety Jordan Colbert and three-star offensive tackle Bailey Sharp - played for Team Armour.

"I was honored to be here and experience this," McBryde, from Charles Henderson in Troy, Ala., said. "It was a fun week. I went to Disney World for the first time, and I had a great time playing against the best in the country."

McBryde finished the game with two tackles and a pass breakup.

"It was a lot different than high school," he said. "The o-line was way bigger and way quicker."

McBryde will be in Auburn on Jan. 16 for an official visit. He'll also visit Florida and LSU.

"I'm just going to tour around and check them out," he said. "I've never been to either of them."

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Johnson, from Madison Academy in Madison, Ala., will play running back/receiver at Auburn, but played safety this week in Tampa. Johnson had three tackles, including two solos, and a pass breakup in the game. He, too, plans to visit Auburn the weekend of Jan. 16.

Colbert also played safety this week for Team Armour, but sustained an injury to his left shoulder in the second quarter and did not return. Colbert, from Griffin, Ga., said after the game that the injury is not serious and that he could have continued playing, but the team doctor recommended he sit out as precaution.

Four-star defensive tackle Terry Beckner Jr. said after the game he continues to consider taking an official visit to Auburn. The Rivals100 prospect has talked to Auburn defensive line coach Rodney Garner, but has yet to schedule a date.