Marty Williams makes it official with Clemson

It's official: Pickens County is on the near horizon for Fox Creek High School football standout Marty Williams.

The 6-foot-1, 200-pound Predator signed the official paperwork Feb. 1, confirming his commitment to play for Clemson University and becoming Fox Creek's first student to earn a Division I football scholarship

Williams, who turned heads as a quarterback and also served as a defensive back, was a threat in both running and passing, with C.J. Williams, Quadre Castlebbery and Deondre Baskett among his favorite aerial targets over the past couple of years.

Coach Russell Schneider, who has guided the Predators' football program since its creation, described Williams as a hard worker with exceptional talent.

"It's nice to see the time you've invested turn out to be such a great opportunity for him and his family," he added.

Williams "chose Clemson over Florida, Notre Dame, Georgia Tech, Miami, East Carolina and South Carolina, among others," as noted by a Clemson website.

"I hope it will open up doors for Fox Creek and give an opportunity for more guys to compete," Wiliams said. "It means a lot to me, playing with the guys that are in younger grade levels. It shows to them that it takes a lot of work to get what you want. I hope they work hard for it because the door's open for them now."

His academic interests are in the areas of music and sports (such as sports management), and his campus visits were a big part of the picture, he said.

"Visiting up there a lot and going to a lot of ball games and hanging around with the players and coaches, it really meant a lot to me. We created a good bond toward each other. The players up there are like brothers to me."

Williams also commented on his prospects on the Clemson roster.

"For right now, I'll think I'll be playing at defensive back."

He also served in the Predators' defensive backfield. On offense, major highlights in the 2011 season included one game in which he scored seven touchdowns (six by ground and one by air).