Miami football interested in former Houston OT Jarrid Williams

According to a report from Inside the U, the Miami football program is interested in pursuing former Houston offensive tackle Jarrid Williams. Williams played with Hurricanes quarterback D’Eriq King with the Cougars.

The Miami offensive line which was one of the least productive in college football in 2019 could add a veteran presence if they are able to sign former Houston offensive tackle Jarrid Williams. Williams is a former teammate of quarterback D’Eriq King who left the Cougars and signed with the Miami football program in January.

Williams announced he was leaving Houston in a Tweet posted on Wednesday afternoon. After starting the first four games of the 2019 season with Houston, a high ankle sprain sidelined Williams for the remainder of the season. Williams was granted a sixth year as a medical redshirt in December.

Williams initially signed with Houston in 2015 as a two-star prospect from Cedar Hill, Texas. The 6’7 305 pound Williams redshirted as a true freshman in 2015. Williams played in eight games as a redshirt freshman in 2016, three as a redshirt sophomore in 2017 before starting 13 games for Houston in 2018.

Williams helped Houston project King by being part of a Cougars offensive line that did not allow a sack in five games in 2018. That included a victory over Arizona. The other games the Cougars offensive line stonewalled the opposing defense were against Rice, Texas Southern, Tulsa and Navy.

Behind King at QB and with Williams playing right tackle, Houston finished fifth nationally in scoring offense at 43.9 points per game seventh with 512.5 yards per game in total offense,16th in passing offense at 295.5 yards per game and 24th with 217.1 yards rushing per game in 2018.

While Miami is likely to pursue Williams expect them to do so carefully after graduate transfer Tommy Kennedy did not work out last season. Kennedy only played against Louisville last season after transferring from FCS Butler. Kennedy was also recruited by Oklahoma. The difference is Williams has experience in the FBS.

Inside the U reported via Pro Football Focus that Williams played 952 snaps in 2018 and allowed just 13 QB pressures. Williams graded out with a run-blocking grade of 76.9 from PFF, a run-blocking grade of 77.4 and an overall grade of 77.4. The offensive line for the Miami football team was in flux prior to spring break in March.

Prior to the shutdown of collegiate athletics in the middle of March, Miami was able to get in three practices during spring football. New offensive line coach Garin Justice was able to experiment with different OL combinations in a short period of time. Left tackle Zion Nelson was expected to move to RT with John Campbell at LT.