In my eighth year on this particular desk, I can say with utmost certainty that this is a first.
Back in mid-June, North Carolina announced that Ty’Son Williams had decided to transfer out of the Tar Heels football program. Shortly thereafter, the speculation had the running back potentially pegged for, among other places, South Carolina.
Fastforward nearly three weeks and, indeed, the Gamecocks are high on Williams’ to-do list. In fact, as long as he’s accepted, he will enroll at USC and continue his collegiate career with the Gamecocks.
However, transferring to USC was a restriction placed on Williams by UNC. However, the sequel, Williams has apparently found a very unique way to circumvent said restriction.
From the Charleston Post & Courier:The Tar Heels have put some transfer restrictions on Williams, including blocking him from going to another school on scholarship that will play them in the next four years. USC and North Carolina will meet in 2019, but that’s not going to prevent Williams from joining the Gamecocks if he’s accepted by the school.
“I’m going to use the GI Bill to pay for my first year,” Williams said, noting his mother was just recently promoted to the rank of major by the Army. So, if he’s accepted to school, his plan is to walk on the football team and redshirt in 2016 with the hopes of going on scholarship for 2017.
First, ‘Murica, and God bless those serving. Secondly, God bless whoever it was that thought of this move to get around the draconian and archaic restrictions utilized by NCAA member institutions.
[/puts down dictionary, backs away from pulpit]
Talent-wise, and aside from how it happens, this would be a significant get for Will Muschamp‘s first-year program.
A four-star member of UNC’s 2015 recruiting class, rated as the No. 22 back in the country and the No. 5 player at any position in the state of South Carolina. He chose UNC over offers from, among others, Clemson, Georgia, Michigan, Mississippi State, Notre Dame and Wisconsin.
As a true freshman, Williams appeared in six games. He carried the ball 19 times for 57 yards in limited action.