Texas commit Jonah Williams is the next great dual-sport star
GALVESTON, Texas (BVM) 鈥� It is rare to see someone uber talented at multiple sports. Names that come to mind are Deion Sanders, Bo Jackson and Jim Thorpe. Jonah Williams out of Galveston, Texas, may be the next name to add to that list.
The Ball High School standout is one of the most interesting prep athletes across the entire country.
Williams is a consensus five-star safety committed to the University of Texas while also being listed as the No. 41 high school player in the 2025 MLB Draft by Joe Doyle of . The 6-foot-3, 206-pound, star had also played basketball and competed in track until recently.聽
Jonah Williams again鈥硷笍 Fade ball corner pocket for his 4th TD of the game 馃弯锔� 馃
— Mr.Homewerk 馃摑 (@doyourhomewerk)
Most athletes at some point decide to specialize in one sport at the high school level, but the passion, and ability, that Williams has for both makes it an easy decision to continue being a dual athlete.
鈥淵ou only live for so long,鈥� Williams said. 鈥淛ust the love of the game that I have for both football and baseball has led me to keep playing and pursuing both sports. Working hard has led me to where I am now.鈥�
Williams, who could likely play linebacker at the next level as well, is a two-way baseball star, touching 95 mph from the left side while on the bump and also being one of Texas鈥� most feared high school sluggers.
鈥�25 uncommitted LHP/OF Jonah Williams () up to 9锔忊儯4锔忊儯 MPH tonight in his start.鈥� No. 7 overall football prospect in the country. No. 5 for baseball on the . Plenty of 91鈥檚, 92鈥檚 & 93 so far with good feel for changeup at鈥�
— Jeffrey Kahn (@jkahn_5)
His popularity came through football and that is where most of his recruitment stemmed from, but the baseball programs at those schools were eager to open up a slot for him on the diamond as well.聽
Williams will do both with the Longhorns in Austin, where he pledged to attend college on Aug. 24.
鈥淚t was really thinking beyond football,鈥� Williams said. 鈥淭he University of Texas education is great and just the lifelong relationships you build. Football is not forever, so you always have to have a backup plan. The football part and the life after football part couldn鈥檛 be passed up on.鈥�
The premier defender has a great opportunity ahead of him, but he is not letting that get to his head and affecting his play in his senior year. If anything, it is the opposite.
Williams, who was born and raised in Galveston, has taken more of a leadership role this season than he has in the past. With Ball being the only public high school in the area, it is a tight-knit group of athletes who grew up with one another. And now, Williams has been one of the team鈥檚 most important influences in its 5-0 start to the season.
5猸愶笍 LB/S Jonah Williams with the opening kickoff touchdown. 馃憖馃挩
The 6鈥�3, 203-pounder made that look EASY
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— MaxPreps (@MaxPreps)
鈥淗is athletic ability is obvious,鈥� Ball High School head football coach Sheldon Bennight said. 鈥淗e puts his team above all and that means a lot to his teammates. I think that is the biggest impact he has on the team itself.鈥�
Galveston has a population of 50,000-plus, and like most cities in Texas, it loves high school football. The community has been behind Williams every step of the way and that will not change when heads northwest to Austin.
Man of the people.. 5-star Texas commit Jonah Williams 馃馃徏
— Marshall Levenson (@MarshallRivals)
鈥淎ll of the support they have shown means the world to me,鈥� Williams said. 鈥淓ven if it wasn鈥檛 with sports, but in the schoolhouse. It’s a blessing knowing that the people you surround yourself with are there to support you.鈥�
Williams is looking to help his school win its district and then hopefully go on a deep playoff run in his final season. After that, some questions will be answered once he gets to college, mainly what his long-term future will be.
He will have plenty of options, including the possibility of attempting both sports professionally, but regardless of what he chooses, everyone is betting on him because of the type of person he is.
鈥淛onah is very competitive, well-mannered and raised right,鈥� Bennight said. 鈥淗e is going to be successful no matter what he does.”
