Fans of Vermilion Parish football or basketball will no doubt remember Abbeville High’s Alonzo Williams, who left the area last summer to pursue what he felt were greener pastures in California.

Williams recently signed a letter of intent to play football at Texas A&M.

Though he was already verbally committed to become an Aggie before he left Abbeville to attend Longbeach Poly, Williams said the move helped prepare him for the competition he will face in the SEC, which Texas A&M will join next football season.

“It prepared me well,” said Williams. “I played against two of the top tackles in the country... and I was coached by one of the top defensive line coaches in the world, Don Norford.”

Williams played defensive end for the Wildcats until he left for California prior to the 2011 season. He also played forward on the Abbeville basketball team that narrowly missed a state championship in 2011.

In California, where he has been living with his mother, Yvette Levy, of Abbeville, Williams said he has to work hard on his studies.

“The school I go to is pretty strict as far as academics,” he said.

Williams is maintaining a 2.5 GPA. He said the move to California has worked out well.

“I’ve made some friends,” he said. “And, the weather’s really nice.”

Williams said he intends on majoring in engineering at A&M, though he is not yet sure in what capacity. He also said he is not yet sure of what career path he will follow should his dream of playing in the NFL not pan out.

Williams said he is excited that his new university has decided to join the ranks of the SEC.

“It’s a pretty good move,” he said. “I think it just means they’re going to have to work harder to compete.”

He also said he felt the move to the SEC might help his chances of playing professional football one day.

“The SEC is putting the most players in the NFL right now,” he said.

Williams said he has been lucky in his life to have “friends and family to encourage” him and listed several mentors who have lent him guidance, including Jordan Webster and Brandon Mitchell.

First on his short list of advisors was AHS Booster Club President Darren Duhon, who drove Williams to A&M last summer for a campus tour.

Duhon said the respect is mutual.

“I think Alonzo will be very successful in life because of his up bringing and his desire to succeed,” said Duhon. “I think he will be successful in life because of his upbringing and his desire to succeed. He was raised with high family and morals. Alonzo has agreat trait in that he deeply cares for his family and others.”

Williams’ father is Chris Lee, of Abbeville.