Gainesville, FL (U-WIRE) -- BResisting local pressure to play for the hometown Arkansas Razorbacks, Damian Williams gave the UF football team its second 2006 verbal commitment from Fayetteville, Ark. in less than a week.

Williams, a 6-foot-1, 185 pound receiver from Springdale High publicly announced his commitment to the Gators Thursday on Arkansas television station KNWA.

Williams joins high school teammate tight end Ben Cleveland who committed to UF less than a week ago.

Despite being injured during his junior season, Williams caught 31 passes for 545 yards and five touchdowns in an explosive offense led by Springdale quarterback Mitch Mustain, considered one of the top quarterbacks in the country.

Williams, along with teammates Cleveland, Mustain, Bartley Webb and Andrew Norman comprise the "Springdale Five." All five are all being recruited by major Division-1A football programs.

While commitments are not official until a letter-of-intent is signed Feb. 1, Springdale head coach Gus Malzahn expects his players to verbally commit before the season to avoid distractions while the team begins to prepare for its upcoming campaign.

Receivers have excelled in UF coach Urban Meyer's offensive systems at Utah and Bowling Green, and Williams is the first commit in what is anticipated to be one of the best wide receiver classes in the nation.

Williams is a dynamic talent with a combination of size, agility and legitimate 4.4 speed. He could compete for immediate playing time, especially if Chad Jackson or Andre Caldwell leave UF after their junior seasons.

Williams will join incoming freshmen receivers Nyan Boateng, Louis Murphy, David Nelson, Eric Sledge, and redshirt freshman Michael McIntosh to form the nucleus of the Gators' next receiver corps.

Williams is just the latest player that committed to UF for the 2006 season. Other commits include Fort Myers running back Chevon Walker, Stephenville, Texas quarterback Jevan Snead, Durham, N.C. offensive lineman Carl Johnson, Jasper linebacker Dustin Doe, Fort Myers, Fla. defensive back Markihe Anderson, Oviedo defensive lineman Corey Hobbs and Bradenton defensive lineman Terron Sanders.

(C) 2004 Independent Florida Alligator via U-WIRE