datruth4u
July 26th, 2006, 05:47 PM
No interest in Williams, two schools say
West Virginia and Tennessee said they don't want linebacker Willie Williams, who is seeking to transfer from Miami.
BY MANNY NAVARRO
[email protected]
Linebacker Willie Williams asked the University of Miami to release him from his football scholarship last week, and so far at least two schools believed to be on his wish list say they don't want him.
Several reports during the weekend had the former Carol City All-American headed for West Virginia, but Mountaineers coach Rich Rodriguez refuted those stories Monday, calling them ``totally inaccurate.''
'He called and inquired and we said, `Thanks, but no thanks,' '' Rodriguez told The Charleston (W.Va.) Daily Mail in Monday's editions. ``I don't know where this stuff gets started, but he will not be transferring to West Virginia.''
Tennessee, another school in which Williams reportedly was interested, said the same Monday afternoon.
''We haven't talked to Willie, we haven't heard from Willie and we're not interested in Willie,'' said Scott Altizer, coordinator of recruiting operations for the Volunteers. ``We're in pretty good shape at that position, we have a couple guys we're recruiting there, and it's a pretty good bet he's not going to be here.''
HIGHLY RECRUITED
Williams, the nation's most highly recruited linebacker two years ago, has been unavailable for comment since it was learned last Tuesday that he was seeking a transfer. The 6-3, 230-pound sophomore entered the spring No. 2 on the depth chart at weak-side linebacker, but slipped further after missing most of the spring drills with a stomach virus.
Williams has been told by UM he will not be allowed to transfer within the Atlantic Coast Conference or to any school on Miami's schedule through 2009. That doesn't affect West Virginia or Lousville, which -- along with Fresno State -- is rumored to have interest in Williams.
http://www.miami.com/mld/miamiherald/sports/15061442.htm