Wide receiver D.J. Williamson leaving Michigan football program
D.J. Williamson, a redshirt freshman wide receiver with the Michigan football team, has decided to transfer.
A Michigan spokesperson said Tuesday that Williamson, a native of Warren, Ohio, has asked for and been granted a release from his scholarship.
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Williamson
At Michigan, the 20-year old was stuck on the depth chart behind receivers Roy Roundtree, Junior Hemingway, Martavious Odoms, Kelvin Grady and Darryl Stonum.
Michigan was the only major conference school to offer a scholarship to Williamson, who was a three-star recruit according to Rivals.com.
He joins defensive backs Ray Vinopal and Cullen Christian as recent departures for Michigan football. Both Vinopal and Christian will attend Pitt.
Michael Rothstein covers Michigan sports for AnnArbor.com. He can be reached at (734) 623-2558, by email at michaelrothstein@annarbor.com or follow along on Twitter @mikerothstein.
Comments
A2D2
Fri, May 27, 2011 : 2:43 p.m.
D.J. Williamson - wow, I never heard of him.......... . Big difference this time around, isn't it? Kids who have no hope of playing making decisions to leave, versus kids who left when RR was hired - for a number of other reasons.
FRED
Thu, May 26, 2011 : 3:53 p.m.
It's never about the size of the man but the size of the man's heart.
RJ12688
Thu, May 26, 2011 : 5:13 a.m.
Well good luck to him, wherever he ends up. But I dont think michigan is going to miss him to much on the football field... another small RR wideout. I want some 6'2+ 215lbs WRs like the good ol days.
heartbreakM
Thu, May 26, 2011 : 1:56 a.m.
Compared to the great AC, Williamson's size was actually big!! (AC reportedly was 5'11" and not quite 160 lbs, but was pound for pound the most exciting and explosive receiver I have ever seen).
OldBittyBates
Wed, May 25, 2011 : 8:37 p.m.
I guess we will never know whether DJ Williamson was any good or not. He gave up before he had a chance to get started. Or maybe he couldn't handle the academic portion? When you here this news, its hard to know what actually caused the decision.
redceder1
Wed, May 25, 2011 : 6:21 p.m.
Burried on the depth chart? Maybe this year. Four of the five receivers listed will be gone after this year. Roundtree will only have one more year. This kid would have three solid years to play. Christian and Vinopal were starters on a pathetic defense. Another fun year in aa! Hope they all get their wings.
Veracity
Wed, May 25, 2011 : 12:01 p.m.
What D.J. Williamson does next with his career should provide insight into his decision. If he transfers to another football program where he receives immediate playing time then obviously his desire to play will be the primary reason for his leaving Michigan. On the other hand, Mr. Williamson may attend a less academically challenging school. For Michigan's sake I hope that he will not transfer to Ohio State and be successful like Justin Boren (unlikely and I do wish him success elsewhere).
Blu n Tpa
Wed, May 25, 2011 : 11:46 a.m.
Mac, yes it does affect the APR. The APR doesn't care why you leave a program. The good news is football has a lot of players so the numbers help keep the percentage lower than other sports with small squads. Hope this was the best for both parties. TiM Go Blue!
GOBLUE86
Wed, May 25, 2011 : 10:56 a.m.
Whats irritating is that this kid didnt even try to give his all. One year is nothing! Come on he was getting a chance to go and attend classes at one of the most pregious schools in the nation and play football. But he was under RR's program maybe he was promised something and it didnt come true either way sa la vie. GO BLUE! Coach Hoke is going to be exactly what Micigan needs.
birch creek john
Wed, May 25, 2011 : 10:44 a.m.
That darn Rich Rod, losing these promising recruits--oh, wait, he's not coach anymore.
1st Down
Wed, May 25, 2011 : 2:22 a.m.
Williamson was considered a possible "sleeper" recruit by people like Sam Webb last year. A slighly built kid who was fast but from what I recall, came from a school that didnt throw the ball a lot and he needed to work a ton on his game.... At Michigan, he would have to run precise routes, block, and become a good all round WR....and maybe he just didnt have that talent level, or work ethic or whatever.... Maybe Michigan just wasnt for him.... good luck to him hopefully he ends up at a place where he can work on his game and get some playing time too.
Terry Star21
Wed, May 25, 2011 : 1:51 a.m.
Agree with heartbreak, though every detail is not fully disclosed - nor will be. Not only was he down on the depth chart - but with our newly signed players and the 2012 commitments, he was unwilling as hb says to tough it out. So depressing hearing about these transfers, in particular to the fact that the young student athletes that do what ever it takes to improve and believe they will get their chance - usually do ! Or - "Those that stay, will become champions", whether it be as a team or more importantly as an individual. GoBo, MgoBlueForTiM !
macjont
Tue, May 24, 2011 : 10:48 p.m.
Question: Does this kind of thing affect a school's NCAA APR? Can't imagine that it should. If a kid decides to quit, I can't see that as the university's fault --- unless, of course, the university is charged with having insight into a recruits character traits, such as tenacity, patience, etc.
heartbreakM
Tue, May 24, 2011 : 9:51 p.m.
Just another example of somebody who was not willing to bide his time and work hard to get better and grow into a man. He was buried on the depth chart, not because of his stars rating or who else recruited him, but because he was not as good as those ahead of him (presumably, though I have not discussed this w/the coaches of course). Good luck to him, but like Cullen Christian ahead of him, I wish these guys would do like the guys did in the 60s through 90s and wait their time, grow up, get bigger, and become senior leaders.