Two of Clinton High School’s most decorated football alumni, Amaris Williams and Josiah McLaurin, have officially entered the NCAA college football transfer portal, signaling fresh opportunities ahead after impactful early collegiate careers.
Williams
Amaris Williams, a 2024 Clinton High School graduate, was one of the most highly-touted recruits in the country out of high school. A native of Clinton and a dominant two-way athlete for the Dark Horses, Williams was rated as a five-star recruit and North Carolina’s top player in the Class of 2024 by 247Sports, earning national recognition and an invitation to the All-American Bowl.
In high school, Williams brought rare versatility — playing defensive end, tight end, and even some running back, finishing his senior year with notable production, including 34 tackles, 11 sacks on defense, and 679 rushing yards with 12 touchdowns on offense. Over his entire Clinton career, he totaled 141 tackles, 35.5 sacks, 977 rushing yards, and 17 offensive touchdowns.
At Auburn, Williams saw action across the defensive front. As a true freshman in 2024, he appeared in 10 games with six tackles and a half-sack. Returning for the 2025 season, Williams improved his impact, posting 16 tackles and two sacks over 11 games before entering the transfer portal after the season.
Williams leaves Auburn with valuable experience in SEC competition and a foundation of physical playmaking that will draw interest from programs seeking size, strength and versatility on the defensive line.
McLaurin
Josiah McLaurin’s journey from Clinton to the University of Maryland has been marked by explosive playmaking and big-play ability. At Clinton, McLaurin burst onto the scene as a junior with 1,284 rushing yards and 24 touchdowns on 170 carries, while also chipping in 33 receptions for 490 yards and four scores and returning four punts for touchdowns—a performance that earned him All-State honors and a three-star recruiting profile.
Primarily recruited as an all-around athlete, McLaurin committed to Maryland over offers from programs including Virginia Tech and Pittsburgh, bringing his versatility to the Terrapins’ offensive and special teams units.
During his time at Maryland, McLaurin contributed as a running back and special teams fixture. He appeared in games for the Terrapins and showed his special teams value with kickoff and punt return duties, averaging meaningful yardage and demonstrating his open-field vision.
While Maryland’s full statistical breakdown for McLaurin’s offensive snaps in 2025 is limited, his dual-threat background from high school and experience returning kicks in the Big Ten add a dynamic element to his profile as he enters the portal.
What’s Next?
Both Williams and McLaurin leave strong legacies in Clinton Dark Horses football history — Williams with his disruptive defensive play at both the high school and collegiate levels, and McLaurin with his multi-faceted offensive production and return game skills. As they explore new destinations via the transfer portal, scouts and coaches will be watching closely to see where these two talented athletes land next.