RB commit builds bond with new OC

AUBURN | Southside-Gadsden running back Alaric Williams wasn’t concerned when Rhett Lashlee left Auburn to become Connecticut’s offensive coordinator.

“I knew (Auburn) would find somebody good,” Williams said.

And Williams believes Auburn did with Chip Lindsey.

“I was actually really happy,” Williams said. “I knew they would find somebody good whether it was (Lindsey) or not.”

Williams, an Auburn commitment since July, already was familiar with Lindsey, who is from the Huntsville-Gadsden area. The two had their first meeting last Saturday during Williams’ official visit.

“(Lindsey) was just telling me what he liked to do with the running backs,” Williams said. “He was just telling me how I would fit in the scheme and how the other running backs would fit in the scheme. I ate dinner with him two nights in a row and he’s a nice guy. We didn’t talk about football as much as we did about just life.”

Building a relationship with Lindsey is important to Williams. Relationships with the coaches, particularly running back coach Tim Horton, played a big role in Williams’ decision to commit to Auburn.

While Williams develops a bond with Lindsey, he continues to strengthen the one he has with Horton. Williams’ future position coach has been recruiting him for many years.

“Me and Coach Horton never talk about football,” Williams said. “It’s always about life. Coach Horton is a really, really, really, really, really nice guy. We’ve got a really good relationship. I love him to death and he’s not even my coach, yet.”

Williams’ recruitment will end Wednesday when he signs with Auburn, although his recruitment has been over since the summer.

“I love it here,” Williams said. “I’m done. It’s really a family thing like they say. I’m 100 percent sure.”

Rivals ranks Williams, who is six feet tall and weighs 205 pounds, the No. 15 athlete in the 2017 class and No. 9 player from Alabama.