Football: Running back Antonio Williams announces transfer from Ohio State to North Carolina

Colin Hass-Hill
Mon, 23 Apr 2018 17:27:58 +0000
Football, News, Sports, Antonio Williams, Antonio Williams transfer, Brian Snead, Buckeyes, Buckeyes football, J.K. Dobbins, JK Dobbins, master teague, Mike Weber, ohio state, ohio state 2018 schedule, ohio state football, Ohio state urban Meyer, osu, OSU football, R&B, running back, sampson james, steele chambers, transfer, Urban Meyer

Ohio State junior running back Antonio Williams (26) runs the ball down the field during the second quarter of the 2018 Spring Game at Ohio Stadium on April 14. Gray beat Scarlet 37-14. Credit: Ris Twigg | Assistant Photo Editor

After two years in the Ohio State backfield, junior running back Antonio Williams announced his intention to transfer to North Carolina on Twitter Monday.

Behind sophomore J.K. Dobbins and redshirt junior Mike Weber on the depth chart, Williams did not have a clear path to playing time. He spent the past two seasons buried on the depth chart and that was unlikely to change this season, despite running backs coach Tony Alford praising him for a strong spring.

“Though being at Ohio State provided me with the right path to reach those goals, the timing for me to be at OSU wasn’t the most ideal,” Williams wrote on Twitter.

New Chapter! Go Heels! #GDTBATH pic.twitter.com/K60b6dXa7R

— Antonio Williams (@A_B_Williams26) April 23, 2018

Williams had 57 carries for 290 yards and three touchdowns last season with most of his touches coming in garbage time. He earned double-digit carries in the Buckeyes’ wins against UNLV and Illinois with 11 carries for 58 yards and 19 rushes for 74 yards, respectively.

The New London, North Carolina, native has an extensive history with the Tar Heels, having taken multiple visits to North Carolina. He was a four-star recruit and committed to Wisconsin prior to his commitment to Ohio State.

Despite the loss of Williams, the Buckeyes have a loaded backfield with Dobbins and Weber earning the bulk of the playing time. Freshmen running backs Master Teague and Brian Snead will serve in reserve roles. Ohio State also holds commitments from 2019 running backs Sampson James and Steele Chambers.