Miami football loss of CB Christian Williams blow to depth

The loss of sophomore Christian Williams to the transfer portal on Tuesday is a big blow to the depth at cornerback for the Miami football team.

The loss of sophomore Christian Williams to the transfer portal on Tuesday according to multiple reports is a big blow to the depth at cornerback for the Miami football team. The timing of the Williams leaving the Hurricanes is a tough one ahead of playing at Louisville on Saturday. The Cardinals have a deep group at wide receiver.

Multiple reports broke Tuesday that Williams made the decision to move on. The sophomore from Daphne, Alabama was a huge four-star signee who essentially flipped from Alabama to Miami during his recruitment. Williams was behind juniors Al Blades and D.J. Ivey and sophomore Te’Cory Couch on the depth chart.

Manny Navarro of The Athletic was the first to report that Williams was no longer listed on the official Miami football roster. The loss of Williams leaves Miami with five scholarship CBs. Blades, Ivey, Couch and freshmen Isaiah Dunson and Marcus Clarke. Williams only played eight snaps in the season opener against UAB Thursday.

Ivey played 54 snaps, Blades 49 and Couch 29. Dunson and Clarke did not play in the 31-14 season-opening win over UAB. Williams graded out fairly well with a 64.8 overall defensive grade, 64.4 coverage grade and 60.0 grade against the run from Pro Football Focus. Williams’ length at 6’1 made him an asset for Miami at CB.

Williams played in all 13 Miami football games as a freshman in 2019. After recording four tackles and a pass breakup last season, Williams’ role was expected to increase this year. When Coach received the majority of the snaps as the third CB in the Miami rotation against UAB that probably sealed Williams’ decision.

Williams recorded one tackle and allowed one reception for 14 yards the only time he was targeted against his home state team, UAB. Dunson and/or Clarke are going are likely to receive playing time against Louisville. Cardinals WRs Tutu Atwell, Dez Fitzpatrick and Braden Smith all had at least 78 yards receiving in their opener.

The decision by Williams seems hasty and will impact the Miami secondary for the remainder of the season. Miami will also have decisions to make in recruiting. With three-star CBs Tim Burns Jr. and Malik Curtis committed to Miami for 2021, expect the Hurricanes to attempt to add two more commits at CB in the upcoming cycle.