Former Ohio State WR Jameson Williams to Transfer to Alabama

Former Ohio State Buckeyes wideout Jameson Williams has transferred to Alabama, he announced Monday.

“It’s Bama because I felt the want and need of my skill from coach [Nick Saban] as he explained everything to me,” he told BamaOnLine (h/t Hank South of 247Sports.com). “And I also had a great relationship with coach [Holmon] Wiggins from the previous years. He made it most definitely feel like a place that I could be."

Williams, who will be a junior next season, caught 15 passes for 266 yards and three touchdowns in his two years with the Buckeyes. He played in every game the past two years, per Alex Scarborough of ESPN. 

While Ohio State has a loaded crop of wide receivers—led by Chris Olave, Garrett Wilson and Jaxon Smith-Njigba and a number of intriguing young prospects—Alabama lost Heisman Trophy winner DeVonta Smith and Jaylen Waddle to the NFL draft. John Metchie III (three starts) is the Crimson Tide's most experienced returning receiver, opening up playing time for Williams.

Alabama also recruited Williams out of high school and was one of his top choices before he went with the Buckeyes.

“Back a couple years ago during my recruitment, I saw how the program was ran and really knew this was a place that I could be,” he said. “As I looked back, that played a big role (in my decision now).”

Williams will bring the sort of speed and downfield threat the Crimson Tide have lost in recent years when Henry Ruggs III and Waddle were first-round picks. He'll be eligible to play immediately for Alabama after the NCAA changed its transfer rules this year, allowing undergraduate players to transfer once without having to sit a year.