Wide receiver E.J. Williams has decided to finish his college career at Indiana.
The 6-foot-3 and 200-pound Williams opted to leave the team in October after playing in four games. That decision allowed him to take a redshirt season and maintain a final season of eligibility.
Shortly after the news broke two months ago, Williams said in a social media post he planned to have surgery to improve his chances to compete for a more significant role in 2025. Williams said that decision was met by the IU coaching staff informing him he was not welcome back on the team next season.
But obviously there has been a change of heart. On3’s Pete Nakos is reporting Williams has pulled his name out of the transfer portal.
In the four games, Williams caught two passes for 49 yards in a reserve role.
Williams will join Omar Cooper, Jr. and Elijah Sarratt next season, giving IU three veteran wideouts to serve as the foundation of the receiver room.
The Alabama native has dealt with multiple injuries since arriving in Bloomington from Clemson ahead of the 2023 season. He also missed a meaningful part of 2024 spring practice and fall camp with injuries.
“Got to get him on the field and keep him on the field,” IU coach Curt Cignetti said of Williams at Big Ten media day in July after noting his talent as a receiver. “That’s the biggest thing, the best ability is availability. You got to stay on the field and that’s been his biggest nemesis.”
A season ago, Williams caught 23 balls for 281 yards for the Hoosiers across eight games. He played particularly well late in the season.
Williams transferred to IU in January of 2023 after three seasons at Clemson.
Over three seasons with the Tigers, Williams recorded 40 catches for 442 yards and two touchdowns in 888 offensive snaps over 33 games (six starts) from 2020-22.
As a junior, Williams appeared in 13 games for Clemson in 2022, and had seven catches for 70 yards. He had 33 receptions over his first two seasons including 24 as a true freshman. Williams’ best game of his career came as a freshman in the ACC title game against Notre Dame when he had four catches for 80 yards and a touchdown.
He started four games as a freshman, but his 2021 sophomore year was derailed by injuries. Williams struggled with drops in 2022. He had four drops, and a 36.4 percent drop rate as a junior according to PFF.
Williams will have one season of eligibility left. He was a consensus 4-star recruit out of high school.
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