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Williams Finds New Home, Familiar Face at Miami
CORAL GABLES, Fla. ā There were phone calls, text messages and lots of video conferences.
But what Jarrid Williams didnāt have as he tried to make one of the biggest decisions of his life was the opportunity to see, in person, where heād play his final season of college football.
āI never took a visit,ā Williams said of his surreal recruiting experience. āIt was all sight unseen.ā
Fortunately, as Williams weighed his options during the COVID-19 pandemic, he had the opportunity to get advice from someone he trusted, someone he knew would offer advice and guidance without pressuring him, someone that understood the magnitude of his decision as a graduate transfer with a limited window of eligibility and time.
It turned out his former teammate at Houston ā DāEriq King, the quarterback heād protected for two years ā had plenty of good things to say about Miami, where he himself had found a new home after transferring just months earlier.
Kingās endorsement, the opportunity to play in Rhett Lashleeās offense and the numerous conversations with Hurricanes offensive line coach Garin Justice proved enough to make Williams feel comfortable Miami would be the best fit for him.
āIt was really tough, not being able to visit places,ā said Williams, a 6-foot-6, 308-pound offensive tackle who also considered playing at Florida State, USC, Baylor and Mississippi. āBut, I knew [at Miami], I would know the offensive style, as far as the system. I knew it would be a smooth transition. Iām used to the tempo. As far as who I was getting coached by and worrying about the defense, I knew here that definitely wasnāt going to be an issue. All of that played a factor. ā¦ And I really liked coach Justice. He has a similar technique style to what I was getting from a former coach at Houston. Their teaching styles are similar and I know I respond to that teaching style very well. Those were some of the main things.ā
Williams announced his decision to transfer to Miami in June. Then came a whirlwind.
He had to move from his native Texas to South Florida. He had to find a place to live. Enroll in classes. Finally meet his new teammates and coaches in person. Learn a new offense and adapt to playing in Miamiās heat and humidity, which yes, was an adjustment, even after playing in Houston.
Fortunately, he was somewhat familiar with Lashleeās scheme, having seen it up close when both were at their respective programs in the American Athletic Conference. And with the ankle injury that ended his 2019 season fully healed, Williams began making a quick impression on his new coaches.
āJarrid is kind of a quiet guy, but heās got a good sense of humor, a good personality. Heās a guy thatās really started to make a seamless transition as far as into the room. And the room has welcomed him with open arms. Weāre real, really happy about that,ā Justice said. āAs far as on the field, heās such a long, big person. Right now, weāre still working through some things fundamentally, but he makes up for his mistakes with his sheer size and athletic ability. Once we can marry the fundamentals, schemes and get into playing shape, he can have a really good year.
āI think the biggest transition, even with his injury, is just āHey, youāre going halfway across the country, youāre going to a new school, youāre going to new teammates, a new environment and youāve got to do it in a short period of time.ā For all those stresses, all those things that are going on, I think heās handled it pretty well.ā
As impressed as teammates and coaches have been with King, the veteran sees plenty of potential in his counterparts along Miamiās offensive line.
A group that was young last fall has grown up significantly and gained invaluable experience. Williams, who is now set to begin his sixth year of college football, says that will be key this fall.
āYou had Zion [Nelson], who was a freshman. DJ [Scaife] was a very young offensive lineman. But I know from experience, once you get at least a year under your belt, thereās a difference,ā Williams said. āZion made a big change to his weight, but itās not just him. Corey Gaynor, DJ Scaife, those guys are great. Honestly, I donāt feel like thereās a worry about any spot on the offensive line. ā¦ We all know what we want to accomplish as an offensive line and itās a very mature group now. Thereās not really an issue.ā
There is, of course, another factor that makes Williams feel comfortable about his decision: the opportunity to, once again, protect his friend and former quarterback.
Though King has been on campus since January, none of the Hurricanes know him as well as Williams does. No one is as familiar with the quarterbackās speed, mobility and drive to win.
And King is plenty happy to have Williams protecting him again, too.
āWith Jarrid, itās just great having him on my team,ā King said. āIāve been playing with him for four years. Me and him started together for two years, so I feel like I have a pretty good connection. I trust him.ā
The connection the two have has Williams excited to see what this season can be, not only for him and King, but for the Hurricanes, too ā especially since he believes he and his quarterback both have something to prove as they transition to playing Power 5 football.
āItās hard to say what heās not going to do in that offense,ā Williams said. āI mean, DāEriqās going to be great. Heās a dual-threat quarterback and itās really hard to stop a dual-threat quarterback. So, Iām not really worried about whatās going on with that because I know heās going to make the play every time. ā¦ I just want to help achieve a goal as far as getting Miami back to where it needs to be. I know we have the potential, most definitely, to get there. We just have to put it all together. I feel like itāll be good this season. Weāre headed in the right direction.ā