Rising Star Laila Williams Sets Her Sights on Olympic Glory

Compton High School’s Dynamic Defender Combines Elite Athleticism with Academic Excellence

By Dejon Jernagin

Listen, I’ve been around this game long enough—both as a player and now watching these young athletes come up—to know when someone has that rare combination of talent, drive, and intelligence that separates the good from the truly special. Laila Williams, the junior standout at Compton High School, has all three in abundance.

The Fire That Drives Champions

When Williams (#3) tells you she started playing football because society said girls couldn’t, you’re hearing the same chip-on-the-shoulder mentality that powered every great athlete I played with or against at the professional level. That’s not manufactured motivation—that’s real fuel.

“I got inspired to play football due to society being judgmental and saying how girls can’t play football,” Williams explains. “That lit something up inside of me to go play football myself and to prove to society that girls CAN play football and make a living off of it.”

In my playing days, we had guys who made it because they were talented. Then we had guys who made it AND stayed because they were talented and driven by something deeper. Williams has that second thing, and at her age, that’s rare air.

Numbers Don’t Lie

Here’s what separates Williams from the pack: she’s not just talking about being great—she’s putting in the work. This past offseason, she dominated the combine circuit with elite numbers in vertical jump, broad jump, 40-yard dash, and 5-10-5 shuttle drills. The result? Six scholarship offers before her junior year even started.

But here’s what really impresses me: her 4.6 GPA while taking honors, AP, and college courses. See, I learned the hard way that athletic talent can disappear in an instant—one injury, one bad play, and your entire identity can shift. Williams is building multiple foundations for success. That’s wisdom beyond her years.

Student of the Game

When the CIF changed the rules for girls flag football, Williams didn’t just show up and try to figure it out on the fly. She studied those rules “like crazy” so she’d have a competitive advantage before the season even started.

That’s professional-level preparation right there. I remember spending hours watching film, studying tendencies, looking for any edge I could get. Most high school athletes don’t think that way yet. Williams does.

“I studied them like crazy, so then when I got on the field during the fall I would already know how the game is played and how to use my knowledge to have an advantage against the other teams,” she says.

This offseason, she’s doubled down on football IQ—identifying it as her biggest area for improvement. That kind of self-awareness is what coaches dream about.

Leadership That Matters

As a team captain under head coach Jason Carreras, Williams has earned her stripes through consistency and clutch performance. Her specialty? Rushing the quarterback and getting sacks—becoming the player her teammates can count on when the game is on the line.

“I try to be a playmaker in the toughest times to get my team to have a little more courage on the field,” Williams explains.

Her definition of being coachable tells you everything you need to know about her character: “Taking constructive criticism, being early to practice, staying later than everyone else, being socially reliable, and working twice as hard as you did the day before.”

Those aren’t just words. That’s a blueprint for success at any level. She lives by a mantra that every young athlete should tattoo on their brain: “Don’t bite the hand that feeds you.”

The Bo Jackson Standard

Williams models her game after two-sport legend Bo Jackson—gravitating toward his aggressive running style and playmaking ability. Her specific goal this season? Recording a pick-six off a quarterback rush.

“I will measure this success by practicing with my QB and trying to hit the ball when she releases it into the air,” she says.

That’s the kind of specific, measurable goal that separates dreamers from achievers. She’s not just hoping it happens—she’s creating a training plan to make it happen.

The 2028 Vision

Here’s where Williams’ story gets really special. Flag football debuts at the 2028 Olympics, and this young woman isn’t just dreaming about being there—she’s structuring her entire athletic career around that moment.

“I take each game as a lesson and learn from each mistake I make on the field, so when the 2028 Olympics come I will be able to perform to my best ability,” Williams says.

If she could choose any venue for her next game, it would be LSU’s Tiger Stadium with Division I scouts in the stands. But that’s not the end goal—it’s just another step on the path to Olympic glory.

The Balancing Act

Managing a 4.6 GPA while training at an elite level requires serious discipline. Williams’ formula is simple but effective: no practice until all homework and classwork are complete. Her secret weapon? Time management skills that keep her ahead of the curve.

“I finish my work during class,” she says with the quiet confidence of someone who has their priorities straight.

Final Word

From my perspective—having played at the highest level and now working in recruiting—Laila Williams represents everything we should be celebrating in young athletes. She’s got the physical tools, the mental approach, the academic foundation, and most importantly, the hunger to prove doubters wrong while building something meaningful.

She’s not just proving that girls can play football. She’s proving they can dominate it.

And when 2028 rolls around and flag football takes the Olympic stage, don’t be surprised when you see #3 representing the United States. Because champions aren’t made in the moment—they’re built in the hundreds of decisions, practices, and sacrifices that nobody sees.

Laila Williams is putting in that work right now.

For recruiting inquiries, contact Laila Williams at lilmisslaila4@gmail.com