RECRUITING

Iowa Eight football: Southeast Polk's Gavin Williams looks like the state's 2020 star

Matthew Bain
The Des Moines Register

Gavin Williams

School: Southeast Polk

Class: 2020

Height: 6 feet

Weight: 200 pounds

Position: Running back

Key stats: Williams amassed 732 rushing yards and 12 touchdowns on 154 attempts last season, to go along with 20 receptions for 421 yards. As a freshman on varsity two years ago, he rushed for 805 yards on 151 carries and caught 22 passes for 242 yards.

Sep 22, 2017; Southeast Polk Rams Gavin Williams breaks a touchdown run against the Indianola Indians at Indianola Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Reese Strickland-For The Herald

Why he's one of the Iowa Eight

Williams is this state's best skill position prospect since Iowa City West receiver Oliver Martin in the 2017 class.

His early-developing blend of size and speed was enough to draw college interest and high ratings, and his freshman and sophomore year production has kept the interest coming. 

He's a strong, daunting running back who also clocks a sub-11-second 100-meter dash. Arm tackles are not enough to bring Williams down and he's able to maintain good balance while running through defenders — not around them.

His sprinter-level acceleration, once he gets into the open field, isn't common for a kid his size. A full package at running back, he can also catch passes out of the backfield. 

247Sports gives Williams four stars and ranks him the No. 180 overall prospect in 2020 and the No. 16 running back. Rivals gives him three stars.

Southeast Polk's Gavin Williams looks for running room against the Newton Cardinals at Rams Stadium Friday, Oct 1, 2017, in Pleasant Hill.

Meet the Register's Iowa Eight

    Future prospects

    Williams currently holds offers from Iowa, Iowa State, Nebraska and Michigan. With a successful junior year, expect that offer sheet to grow significantly. He is thought of as the top prospect in this state's 2020 class, which has some impressive weight at the top.

    Quotable

    "He comes out of a lot of piles that you think he might not make it out of. And then once he gets in the open field, obviously he's got some special tools there as well. But I think that combination of being able to run through tackles as well as hit the home run is why he's got some pretty big major offers already."

    — Allen Trieu, 247Sports Midwest recruiting analyst

    What is the Iowa Eight?

    The Iowa Eight is the Register’s preseason list of the eight best football prospects in the state, weighing past performance and future projection. Incoming freshmen through seniors are eligible. Selections are based on Register staff observations and consultation with high school, college and scouting contacts. The Register will have additional Iowa Eight lists for key prep boys’ and girls’ sports throughout the year.

    Matthew Bain covers college football and basketball recruiting for the Des Moines Register. He also helps out with Iowa and Iowa State football and basketball coverage for HawkCentral and Cyclone Insider. Contact him at mbain@dmreg.com and follow him on Twitter @MatthewBain_.