Preston Williams

Physical Profile

Listed at 6-1, 180 lbs. Taller than 44% and heavier than 28% of 2027 Safety prospects in the SEC Scouts database (32 with a listed size).

Play Style

On offense he is a long-striding, one-cut runner who builds speed through the second level and wins on angles once he's past the first tackler. His 13.2 yards per carry in the opener came from chunk runs, not volume. Defensively, Auburn projects him as a back-end piece that can be moved around: deep half or post safety now, with an option to rotate down toward the slot or viper as he gets bigger. Expect his ballcarrier background to show in how he attacks the ball in the air and what he does after a turnover. Expect his inexperience to show as some late reads and overrunning plays in run support until his technique catches up with his athleticism.

Strengths

• Frame and length: at 6-2 with a lean build he should carry 205-210 lbs over two or three years in a college strength program without losing what makes him useful in space. That keeps both a safety and a viper/STAR path open.
• Ball-carrier instincts and explosiveness: he ran for 225 yards on 17 carries and scored the game-winning touchdown in overtime in a 34-27 win over Pike Liberal Arts (Week 1, 2026), earning Extra Point Player of the Week. Long runs on limited carries point to burst, vision and a second gear that should carry over to returns and to breaking on the ball.
• Versatility: he plays safety, receiver and running back at G.W. Long. Auburn recruited him as a 'defensive athlete' who can line up at several spots in the back end. Experience with the ball in his hands usually means better ball skills and run-after-catch instincts once a player becomes a full-time DB.
• Camp-verified by the committing staff: he earned the Auburn offer in a camp setting and also took a Jacksonville State official visit. That gives his evaluation more weight than his national ranking (#1,736 Composite) suggests.
• Strong commitment: he is an in-state, lifelong Auburn fan ('I've always been an Auburn man!'). That makes his pledge unlikely to flip and suggests a player motivated to work through a redshirt and a developmental period.

Areas to Improve

• Mass and play strength: at 180-190 lbs he needs 15-25 lbs to handle SEC run fits, take on pulling linemen, or play viper. Without it his role narrows to deep safety, where his speed matters more.
• Defensive technique and full-time DB reps: a two-way, small-school player has spent much of his practice time on offense. Backpedal and pedal-to-drive transitions, man-coverage footwork against quick slots, eye discipline in zone, and pursuit angles all need to be built up to SEC level.
• Unproven against high-level competition: his production comes at a small school. His camp performance answers some of this, but his senior film against better opponents and any all-star or postseason reps will matter for how fast he can contribute.
• No verified testing data: the lack of laser-timed speed and agility numbers makes it hard to say whether he has the range for a single-high safety or is better suited to a rotating, near-the-box role.

College Projection

Likely redshirt in 2027 with a special teams role on kickoff and punt coverage, where his length and speed help immediately. 2028: rotational safety or nickel depth as he adds weight. Realistic starting window is 2029-2030 if he reaches the 200-210 lb range. Position will depend on body development: a lean safety if he stays around 195, or viper/STAR in Durkin's hybrid package if he fills out. A 3-star with a strong camp evaluation and a firm in-state commitment like this is a classic 'develop and hold' player, with a floor of special teams contributor and SEC depth and a ceiling of multi-year starter.

Best Fit

A program with a patient strength and development plan and a multiple defense that values long, versatile DBs, which Auburn is. He fits best with a defensive coordinator who uses a hybrid viper/STAR spot (Durkin's scheme) and rotates safeties, so a 6-2 athlete can grow into the role his body allows. A bottom-up developmental program, or a quarters/match team that values length and range at safety, would also suit him.