Miami Hurricanes OL Jarrid Williams brings maturity, length and leadership

The addition of Jarrid Williams to the Miami Hurricanes offensive line provides maturity, length and leadership to a unit that needed an infusion of talent and experience entering the 2020 season.

The Miami Hurricanes had one of the worst offensive lines in college football in 2019. Head coach Manny Diaz sought out changes upfront as part of multiple modifications to the coaching staff and roster for the 2020 season. Graduate transfer Jarrid Williams was one of the last additions for Miami in the 2020 offseason.

Williams transferred to Miami from Houston joining quarterback D’Eriq King on the Hurricanes roster from the Cougars. At 6’6, 308 pounds, Williams provides length on the Miami Hurricanes offensive line and brings much-needed experience and maturity as he enters his sixth season of college football.

Williams redshirted as a true freshman in 2015 and took a medical redshirt after being sidelined with an injury after four games into 2019.  Head coach Manny Diaz and defensive end Quincy Roche both praised Williams after the first practice of training camp on Friday.

Roche lined up against Williams in the American Athletic Conference when he was at Temple and the big offensive lineman played for Houston in 2017 and 2018. Those battles and as teammates for the last few months have made an impression on Roche. Diaz spoke about the imposing presence that Williams is.

"“Certainly he stands out, just through his size…He’s got tremendous length, so, he’s hard to miss. Today was our first time and we were just in helmets. We’ll learn more when the pads come on, but, length, you’ve got to take an extra step to get around him because he’s got such great reach. That definitely provides value.”"

Roche expects Williams to provide maturity and leadership on the Miami offensive line that did not have that last season. The Hurricanes started a junior, a redshirt sophomore, true sophomore and two true freshmen on the offensive line in 2020. Williams opened 2020 training camp at right tackle.

"“Definitely just a consistent player, real technically sound, so he’s somebody that’s going to bring maturity, hopefully leadership to the locker room and to the O-line…He’s another piece to the puzzle.”"

The praise for Williams from Roche occurred post-practice on Friday. Williams started 17 games at RT and two at left tackle for Houston during his four seasons playing for the Cougars. Redshirt sophomore John Campbell began the first practice of training camp at LT and Williams was on his customary position on the right side.

New offensive line coach Garin Justice appears to like the potential Campbell has at LT and Williams will feel comfortable being in the same position he has played the last two seasons. When your head coach and the teammate who is the best defensive lineman on the team praise you that is a good sign for Williams in 2020.