Franklin Regional shortstop Luke Williams pivots to Vanderbilt

By: Bill Beckner Jr.
Friday, June 27, 2025 | 4:45 PM

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When he first decommitted from Virginia three weeks ago, it was tough for baseball player Luke Williams to mentally erase the image he had of himself in a Cavaliers uniform.

Virginia and AI had already given him an idea of what he’d look like in his fresh digs and he liked it.

“It was definitely weird the first couple days,” Williams said.

How things can change these days in college sports.

The Franklin Regional rising senior shortstop now has a new social media profile picture, one of him wearing a black-and-gold pinstriped uniform with Vanderbilt stitched across the chest.

He thinks the new image fits better.

Williams announced Friday he has verbally committed to the Commodores — an “anchor down” message in his X post to stamp it.

Vanderbilt finished 43-18 and ranked No. 18 in the country. It went 1-2 at the Nashville Regional.

“Vandy’s great for me, and I’m excited for the opportunity,” Williams said, showing relief that his second time through the recruiting process was virtually painless and he has a new school all lined up.

Williams, who committed to Virginia when he was a freshman, backed out of his commitment when coach Brian O’Connor left the Cavaliers to take over at Mississippi State.

After he became a “free agent,” Williams was abruptly offered by Mississippi State and took a visit. But he also visited Vanderbilt and said he was immediately drawn to the program.

Vandy was a real dandy.

“The coaches at Vandy are amazing,” Williams said. “I thought it was a great fit for me and my development as a player. They offered me this week when I went on my visit. I also was talking to a couple (other) SEC schools.”

Williams, the No. 14-ranked player in the Class of 2026 by Perfect Game, is on the shelf for a few months after undergoing surgery on his ankle. He was injured during Franklin Regional’s WPIAL first-round playoff loss to Bethel Park.

“I couldn’t be happier for Luke and his family,” Franklin Regional coach Bobby Saddler said. “Vanderbilt got a player who is obviously extremely gifted at the game of baseball, but they also got a young man who will not be outworked. That is, in my opinion, what makes him so special.”

An MLB Draft prospect for 2026, Williams considered several schools before pledging to Vanderbilt.

“I was between Mississippi State and Vandy but was going to go visit Florida and Tennessee,” he said. “Once I went to Vandy, I knew that’s where I wanted to be.”

This WPIAL season, Williams hit .345 with a 1.106 OPS, .506 on-base percentage, two home runs, 27 runs and 19 RBIs for the Panthers.

Bill Beckner Jr. is a TribLive reporter covering local sports in Westmoreland County. He can be reached at bbeckner@triblive.com.

Tags: Franklin Regional