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University of Houston offensive lineman Jarrid Williams announced Wednesday that he intends to transfer for his final season of eligibility.
Williams spent four seasons as a teammate of current Miami quarterback D’Eriq King and started four games at right tackle for the Cougars in 2019.
He was granted a sixth year of eligibility from the NCAA at the conclusion of the 2019 season because he missed eight games with a high-ankle sprain.
The 6-foot-7, 305-pounder announced his intentions to transfer on Twitter. The tweet was liked by King.
Proverbs 3:5-6 pic.twitter.com/4pZEGF2CNO
— Jarrid (@Jwill62_) April 29, 2020
It has been widely reported that Miami is able to take one more incoming player this recruiting cycle because it did not sign Hollywood Chaminade-Madonna’s Willie Moise in February.
Knowing this, should Miami pursue Williams to try and re-unite him with King? Absolutely.
Starting in August 2018 and concluding when he got injured in 2019, Williams started 17 of 18 games for Houston, blocking for King from the right tackle position. He blocked for a Cougar offense that averaged just under 44 points per game with King at the helm in 2018.
Miami’s offensive line was sub-par during the 2019 season as it allowed 51 sacks, third-worst in the FBS.
The Hurricanes are returning their top six offensive lineman from 2019 but still have glaring questions at offensive tackle.
Zion Nelson spent most of the 2019 campaign starting at left tackle but struggled in pass protection at times. John Campbell and Kai-Leon Herbert are also set to return to the tackle position but have very little game experience compared to Williams.
Getting Williams to transfer in would allow new offensive line coach Garin Justice to utilize DJ Scaife Jr., Miami’s top returning offensive lineman, however he pleases, not necessarily at offensive tackle.
It would also give Miami a sixth-year player for incoming freshmen Jalen Rivers and Chris Washington to learn from and be mentored by.
Pursuing Williams seems like a low-risk, high-reward proposition for Miami, who only got four spring practices to start learning new offensive coordinator Rhett Lashlee’s spread offense.
Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald tweeted Wednesday night that he expects the Hurricanes to reach out to Williams.
Though UM at one point was saving its final scholarship for Willie Moise, I would expect UM to pursue Houston RT Jarrid Williams, who announced plans today to look elsewhere as grad transfer. Two year starter at right tackle; second team preseason all-AAC last year before injury
— Barry Jackson (@flasportsbuzz) April 29, 2020
For a look at Williams in action, check out Houston’s offensive highlights from their win over previously undefeated South Florida in 2018.