A month and a half after deciding to transfer from Memphis, Ryan Williams is heading back to South Florida.
In a release issued by the school, Miami announced that the Tigers’ starting quarterback in 2010 has officially transferred to the school. The ex-Broward County high school star will be forced to sit out the 2011 season in order to satisfy the NCAA’s transfer rules.
He will have three years of eligibility remaining.
“With the addition of Ryan Williams, we add toughness, incredible work ethic and smarts on-and- off the field,” 'Canes coach Al Golden said in a statement. “His innate leadership skills were shown to South Florida as a high school state champion. Those are skills that jump off the film and the reason our entire program is excited to welcome Ryan to the U.”
As a true freshman in 2010, Williams started the final ten games of the season after taking over for Cannon Smith, who himself is a former Hurricanes QB. Williams decided to transfer out of Memphis when this offseason head coach Larry Porter opted to move from a pro-style offense to a spread attack.
Williams is the second former Div. 1-A starting QB to transfer to The U in the past three months; in February, former Michigan signal caller Tate Forcier announced he “really want[ed] to be a part of the rebirth at Miami.”
With the additions of Williams and Forcier, as well as true sophomore Stephen Morris, who will resume his battle with Jacory Harris for the starting job in summer camp, the ‘Canes now have three scholarship QBs for their 2012 roster. Unless one of them decides to transfer between now and the start of the ’12 season, of course.