Local Three-Star Safety Cairo Williams Commits to NC Central Over Big Ten and ACC Programs
Three-star defensive back Cairo Williams of Raleigh's Millbrook High School has committed to North Carolina Central University for the 2027 recruiting class. The standout safety chose the Eagles despite holding scholarship offers from Power Four programs including Wisconsin, Michigan State, SMU, and Louisville.
North Carolina Central University has secured a major local commitment for its future defensive backfield, keeping one of Raleigh's standout high school prospects right in the Research Triangle. Cairo Williams, a three-star safety who plays for Millbrook High School, has pledged his commitment to the Eagles' 2027 recruiting class, according to reporting by HBCU Gameday.
The 6-foot-2, 180-pound defensive back chose the Durham-based Historically Black University over a list of scholarship offers that included prominent Power Four football programs across the nation. HBCU Gameday reported that Williams earned offers from Big Ten institutions Wisconsin and Michigan State, alongside Atlantic Coast Conference programs SMU and Louisville, before deciding to stay close to home with NC Central. Rivals lists his official commitment date as October 6.
National recruiting services have rated the Raleigh native favorably across their rankings. Rivals assigns Williams an 89 rating, placing him as the No. 48 safety in the country and the No. 18 overall high school prospect in North Carolina, according to details reported by HBCU Gameday. Meanwhile, 247Sports evaluates Williams as an 88-rated recruit, ranking him No. 65 among safeties nationally and No. 25 overall within the state.
Williams earned those national ratings through extensive production on the field during his sophomore campaign in 2024. During that high school season, the defensive back accumulated 70 total tackles, four tackles for loss, two sacks, and four interceptions for Millbrook High School, as reported by HBCU Gameday. His sophomore statistical output also featured seven pass breakups and a forced fumble, performances that secured him a selection on HighSchoolOT's 919 All-Region team.
Among his standout individual outings during that 2024 sophomore campaign was a dominant Week 3 performance. HBCU Gameday reported that Williams recorded nine tackles, intercepted three passes, and returned one interception 95 yards for a touchdown. That multi-interception performance earned the safety a spot on HighSchoolOT's weekly "Starting 22" honor roll.
Securing Williams marks a significant local recruiting victory for North Carolina Central. Rather than electing to play in the ACC or Big Ten, the defensive back chose to remain in the Triangle region, bringing high-level defensive talent directly to an FCS HBCU program. His pledge highlights the growing ability of HBCU football programs to compete directly against major conference schools for elite regional talent.
The Eagles already feature a compelling history of developing elite defensive backs in Durham. In 2022, NC Central safety Khalil Baker put together an award-winning season, earning MEAC Defensive Player of the Year and first-team FCS All-America honors, according to HBCU Gameday. Baker also received the inaugural Aeneas Williams Award as the nation's premier defensive back in Division I HBCU football, capping his year with a 10-tackle performance and Defensive MVP honors during Central's victory in the Celebration Bowl.
As Williams continues his high school career before transitioning to college football, his commitment gives the Eagles strong momentum on the recruiting trail. With verified size, local ties, and substantial high school production, the Raleigh defender represents a key addition for the future of North Carolina Central's secondary.