Donte Williams to USC: Best of social media reaction

Trojans rejoiced and Ducks lamented on Monday as USC stole away cornerbacks coach Donte Williams from Oregon.

MORE. Johnny Nansen to UCLA

The Pac-12 race just got a little more interesting in 2020 thanks to USC’s statement hire of Oregon cornerbacks coach Donte Williams.

The news was reported on Monday by Bruce Feldman of The Athletic and confirmed by Gerard Martinez of USCFootball.com, Ryan Kartje of the Los Angeles Times and others.

SEE MORE: USC poaches Oregon CBs coach Donte Williams

When a hire that big comes down, you know social media will be all over the story.

Indeed, Pac-12 Twitter was alight with commentary from media, fans, and players.

Wide receivers coach Keary Colbert and director of player development Gavin Morris made their reaction known almost immediately.

https://twitter.com/kearycolbert/status/1227016821884080128

✌?? pic.twitter.com/F7rBdC61sr
— gavin morris (@DaGman7) February 10, 2020

Current USC cornerback Chris Steele was ecstatic about the news.

https://twitter.com/KinggChris7/status/1227017750440108032

According to Ryan Young of TrojansSports.com, the two were tight during his recruitment.

Donte Williams nearly landed 5-star Chris Steele to Oregon last year before he ended up at #USC. The two maintained a close relationship. Williams should make a major impact in recruiting for the Trojans. https://t.co/a6uIWawpSi
— Ryan Young (@RyanYoungRivals) February 11, 2020

Steele had more to say on the subject.

I think the whole country is feeling this ?✌? https://t.co/Yv6Maxgwwy
— Steele. ? (@KinggChris7) February 11, 2020

Certainly, Oregon commits felt it. Anthony Beavers of Narbonne, a four-star Oregon commit tweeted a simple emoji

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— DreamChaser?? (@BeaversAnthony) February 11, 2020

Seven McGree, a four-star running back from Centennial who is also committed to the Ducks, responded as well.

Perhaps the best way to gauge a hire is by looking at how fans of the opposing team respond. Oregon fans? They’re shaken up over this.

https://twitter.com/TheCorpatty/status/1227023681475530757

ya everyone Donte Williams is probably the best recruiter as a CB coach in the country and very solid in player development. we’ll be alright but this is a BIG deal.
— ?reid 2x? (@mf_reid) February 11, 2020

USC fans took the opportunity to enjoy getting one up on their Pac-12 rivals. It’s been a little while.

https://twitter.com/jbdonchig/status/1227025314473099264

Gerard Martinez made an early point of how USC had to go about getting Williams to Los Angeles. It wasn’t a hire they lucked into.

Heard #USC paid a premium to land Donte Williams away from Oregon. That's a good sign as the administration at #USC, still in transition, has been questioned in the past about its investment in football.
— Gerard Martinez (@gmartlive) February 11, 2020

The premium was there for a reason. Williams has received universal acclaim for his efforts on the recruiting trail.

Very big pickup for #USC, Williams is one of the nation's truly elite recruiters with strong connections not just out West but nationally as well, a real grinder who truly loves to recruit, something you don't see all that often https://t.co/fm1yhewg5d
— Greg Biggins (@GregBiggins) February 11, 2020

Shotgun Spratling of USCFootball.com had an example of Williams’ recruiting prowess in his back pocket. USC has recruited against Williams before.

Donte Williams was the reason DB Greg Johnson was committed to #Arizona before flipping to #USC. https://t.co/up3YFoMG78
— Shotgun Spratling (@ShotgunSpr) February 11, 2020

USC still has to hire a defensive line coach, but the 2020 staff has come together quite nicely over the past week. On top of landing defensive coordinator Todd Orlando and his right-hand man at Texas Craig Naivar, the Trojans have reportedly locked in Kansas State special teams guru Sean Snyder.

Next. Six Big Recruiting Needs

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