Miami football returns OT Jarrid Williams means entire OL back in 2021

LOUISVILLE, KENTUCKY - SEPTEMBER 19:. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)
LOUISVILLE, KENTUCKY - SEPTEMBER 19:. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images) /
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The Miami football team continued to receive good news early on Saturday evening with the return of starting right tackle Jarrid Williams. Williams’ announcement via Twitter he will be returning for his seventh season of college football came after Zach McCloud announced his return and the transfer of Tyrique Stevenson.

McCloud and Stevenson are taking advantage of the extra season of eligibility granted to fall 2020 sports athletes by the NCAA. Stevenson is returning home to Miami after two seasons playing at Georgia. Stevenson will be entering his second season with the Miami football program after transferring from Houston in 2020.

Williams followed Miami quarterback D’Eriq King to Coral Gables. Williams and King will be together for the sixth straight season. The 2021 Miami freshmen class was in seventh grade when Williams began his college career with Houston in 2015. Williams had a sixth season in 2020 because of a medical redshirt in 2019.

The return by Williams means Miami will have its entire offensive line back for the 2021 season. Miami improved greatly on the offensive line in 2020 and should continue to develop with experience in 2021. The Hurricanes will also add Issiah Walker who transferred from Florida in 2020 and had to sit out.

Walker was a part of the Gators 2020 signing class and transferred shortly after the conclusion of spring practice. Other experienced OL returning for Miami in 2021 in addition to Williams who were eligible for the NFL Draft are redshirt sophomore center Corey Gaynor, redshirt senior Navaughn Donaldson and junior D.J. Scaife.

Head coach Manny Diaz spoke about culture when he was elevated to head coach from defensive coordinator in December 2018. Part of what Diaz mentioned was keeping the underclass eligible for the draft at Miami.

Next. Miami adds blue-chip transfer CB Tyrique Stevenson. dark

Defensive ends, graduate transfer Quincy Roche and redshirt junior Jaelan Phillips, junior tight end Brevin Jordan and graduate transfer kicker Jose Borreagales are the only Miami football players who have entered the 2021 NFL Draft. Miami also lost DE/LB Patrick Joyner who transferred to Utah State.