Former Ohio State Defensive End Alex Williams Announces Transfer To Vanderbilt

Former Ohio State defensive end Alex Williams announced on Instagram Wednesday night that he will be transferring to Vanderbilt.

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The Ohio State University has given me tools as a young man to grow, and I thank everyone who’s been apart of said journey. I’ve been here my entire life and grew up being in this position, but life has audibles. Coach Day and Coach Larry Johnson gave me an opportunity of a lifetime and I cannot be more appreciative of that. College Football isn’t what you see on the television on Saturdays, it is deeper and you will only understand unless you’ve been apart of a group of soldiers like the ones I was with in my past two years of college ball. I wish I could thank you all… you know who you are. Coach Mason, Ted Roof, and Haye… these men have given me an opportunity to play in the SEC for Vanderbilt University, while earning a phenomenal degree in the meantime. Thank you all and the rest of this staff that I am thrilled to be under. Thank you Mom and Dad I love you, this thing hasn’t been easy. I’ll be wearing #8 as a Vanderbilt Man, thank you Kobe Bryant. Thank you so much…

A post shared by Alexander (@theeighthandroid) on Jan 29, 2020 at 4:40pm PST

“The Ohio State University has given me tools as a young man to grow, and I thank everyone who’s been apart of said journey. I’ve been here my entire life and grew up being in this position, but life has audibles. Coach (Ryan) Day and Coach Larry Johnson gave me an opportunity of a lifetime and I cannot be more appreciative of that.

“Coach (Derek) Mason, (defensive coordinator) Ted Roof and (defensive line coach Jovon) Haye have given me an opportunity to play in the SEC for Vanderbilt University, while earning a phenomenal degree in the meantime.”

Williams also announced he will wear No. 8 with the Commondores in honor of late NBA superstar Kobe Bryant, who passed away in a tragic helicopter accident on Sunday.

A three-star prospect from Pickerington (Ohio) North, Williams played in five games (64 snaps) for the Buckeyes as a redshirt freshman last season. But seemingly buried on the depth chart behind Jonathon Cooper, Tyreke Smith, Tyler Friday, Zach Harrison and Javontae-Jean Baptiste heading into spring practice, he announced his decision to enter the transfer portal on Jan. 15.

Williams has three seasons of eligibility remaining, but must receive a waiver from the NCAA in order to play in 2020.