Preston Williams embarked on his Tennessee career with much pomp and circumstance, replete with an ivory suit, bowtie and Block-T helmet sans facemask. Just over 20 months later, his time on Rocky Top has apparently come to an unceremonious end.
According to 247Sports.com, Williams has decided to leave the Vols and has “gotten his [transfer] papers.” Not only that, but Williams, a Georgia native, reportedly has his sights set on a potential move to the Left Coast.
A UT official declined to address Williams’ status with Butch Jones’ football program moving forward.
A four-star member of the Vols’ 2015 recruiting class, Williams was rated as the No. 7 wide receiver in the country; the No. 6 player at any position in the state of Georgia; and the No. 48 player overall on 247Sports.com‘s composite board. Only running back Alvin Kamara held a higher rating for offensive signees in UT’s class that year.
As a true freshman, Williams started one game and finished with seven receptions for 158 yards and a pair of touchdowns. This season, he started two of the four games in which he played. After catching five passes for 45 yards in the 2016 opener against Appalachian State, the 6-4, 209-pound sophomore totaled just four receptions and 44 yards over the next five games.