Alabama senior RB Roydell Williams enters NCAA transfer portal
Alabama running back Roydell Williams has entered the NCAA transfer portal.
A senior for the Crimson Tide, Williams played in 45 career games over the last four seasons, including all 14 in 2023. Williams rushed for a career-high 560 yards and five touchdowns on 111 carries this season and has accumulated over 1,000 career rushing yards (1,165) through his 40-plus appearances. Williams has also caught the ball out of the backfield as a receiver, catching 11 passes for 58 yards and two touchdowns this fall, while also being one of the top contributors on special teams. He has a free COVID year to utilize and will use it elsewhere.
Williams dealt with a season-ending knee injury as a sophomore in 2021 but played in every game each of the last two seasons, including two first starts against Georgia and Michigan. However, Alabama head coach Nick Saban revealed on Thursday that Williams was dealing with “a little bit of a bad ankle” in the Rose Bowl semifinal, which is why he only received one carry and freshman Justice Haynes saw an increased role. Haynes, Jamarion Miller and Richard Young will now be the Tide’s top backs with Williams entering the transfer portal.
A native of nearby Heuytown, Ala., Williams detailed what it meant to play for Alabama.
“Just coming here from that close of a distance, it’s meant a lot,” Williams said. “My family is able to come down here anytime to see me. Just being around and being local was big for me. I can go home whenever I want sometimes. It’s just amazing, that I’ve been here four years and the journey I’ve been through, it’s been a lot, and I’ve enjoyed every second of it.”
The transfer portal’s 30-day window opened on Monday, Dec. 4, but players on teams that played in bowl games on New Year’s Day received an extended window from Jan. 2-6.
Alabama players in the transfer portal
Tyler Buchner, QB (Notre Dame, lacrosse)
Ja’Corey Brooks, WR (Louisville)
Isaiah Hastings, DL
Anquin Barnes, DL (Colorado)
Shazz Preston, WR
Miles Kitselman, TE
Terrence Ferguson, OL
Seth McLaughlin, OL
Eli Holstein, QB
Kristian Story, DB
Malik Benson, WR
Earl Little, DB
Monkell Goodwine, DL
Ian Jackson, LB
Roydell Williams, RB
Keep up with movement from around the country with On3’s Transfer Portal Wire.
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