CHARLOTTESVILLE — Jae’Oyn Williams didn’t need to be guaranteed or promised that he’d stay at his preferred position during his transition from high school to college.
He said he only hoped for an opportunity to prove he could play quarterback at the next level.
On Thursday, Williams, a standout at St. Frances Academy in Baltimore and a native of Woodbridge, committed to Virginia in large part because the Hoos were prepared to give him that much.
“A lot of coaches I talked to during the recruiting process were stuck on me playing running back,†Williams told The Daily Progress on Friday afternoon, “and those coaches weren’t going to give me a chance at playing quarterback.â€
But Williams, who will enroll early at UVa in January, said fourth-year Cavaliers coach Tony Elliott had a plan.
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St. Frances Academy quarterback Jae’Oyn Williams committed to Virginia on Thursday.
“Coach Elliott said he would let me play quarterback in the spring. So, I’ll play QB in the spring when I get there and we’ll go from there,†Williams said.
And Williams isn’t unwilling to play elsewhere on the field. Williams said when he attended the Cavaliers’ prospect camp on June 9, he mainly participated as a quarterback but also went through some drills as a running back.
His lead recruiter, he said, is running backs coach Keith Gaither.
“He was genuine from the jump when I first met him,†Williams said about Gaither.
Williams said he learned through Gaither that UVa valued him regardless of position and that the Cavaliers didn’t want to let him and his athleticism end up at another school.
Before deciding on UVa, Williams was also considering James Madison, Ohio University and Old Dominion.
“But the situation at Virginia was definitely unique,†Williams said. “And I did tell Coach Elliott that all I needed was a chance [at quarterback] and he was willing to give me that chance.â€
St. Frances plays a national schedule and this past fall, the 5-foot-10, 200-pounder threw for three touchdowns in a win over the Hun School (New Jersey), according to stats logged by Max Preps. Williams threw for 146 yards and a touchdown and rushed for 95 yards and a score to help St. Frances beat IMG Academy (Florida), too.
He was a Maryland private schools All-State second-team selection at quarterback in 2024. The first-teamer on that All-State squad was Archbishop Spalding’s Malik Washington, who had offers from around the country before committing to Maryland.
Williams said he knows he needs to continue progressing, though, as a signal-caller this coming fall in his senior year at St. Frances Academy.
“Right now, my strong suits are quick game, throwing on the run and using my mobility,†he said, “and I think what I could develop more in is my pocket presence with being able to maneuver in the pocket and stay patient in the pocket.â€
He said he’s glad his college decision is in the books, freeing him to concentrate on improving as a quarterback versus figuring out where his football career will continue.
“It really was a no-brainer for me,†Williams said. “Plus, I’m a Virginia kid, so why not stay home and play for the hometown team?â€
Williams’ choice gave UVa seven committed prospects in its 2026 recruiting class. The Hoos have another quarterback in the group, too, in Crest (Shelby, North Carolina) High School’s Ely Hamrick.
