Maryland added one piece to its cornerback room last weekend, but a former portal addition has now departed from the program as safety Avantae Williams is back in the transfer portal. Williams was inactive for the season opener in what head coach Mike Locksley called a "coach's decision" before playing sparingly in the secondary. Williams finished with three tackles, including two solo, in four games in his lone season with the program. Williams joined the program with a chance to fill the role as a rotational safety or nickel corner, but that never came to fruition as he looks to end his college career elsewhere. His decision to transfer comes the same week that a court ruling favored student-athletes, granting immediate eligibility for second transfers. A former top-50 prospect in the 2020 class, Williams ironically flipped his commitment from Oregon—then under Mario Cristobal—to Miami only to depart from the Canes program following Cristobal’s first season in Coral Gables. Williams missed his 2020 season with an undisclosed medical condition and over the next two seasons, Williams started one game in 17 appearances and tallied 27 tackles, one interception and fumble recovery. Williams became the fourth Miami defensive back to enter the transfer portal last offseason as the staff quickly pounced. Williams picked Maryland over Colorado out of the transfer portal. Williams joins RB Ramon Brown, LB Riyad Wilmot, LB Jaishawn Barham, CB Corey Coley Jr, TE Corey Dyches, TE Rico Walker, CB Gavin Gibson, CB Tamarcus Cooley and OT Ja'Kavion Nonar as departures for Maryland this offseason. Related Links
Getting to know Maryland football’s bowl opponent: Auburn TigersWhat I’m hearing: update on portal, flip targets (+)Update on five-star target (+)Former NC State QB MJ Morris breaks down decision to transfer to MarylandBreaking down how former Terps fared in 2023One Maryland verbal solid, another shuts down recruitment (+)