Hurricanes Add Fullback To Roster; Lineman Grimsley Transfers
Don't tell Mark Richt that having a fullback isn't important.
The Hurricanes new head honcho is a big proponent of having and utilizing a fullback in his offense – he has been since his Georgia days.
To quantify Richt's affinity for the fullback position: Georgia currently has five fullbacks listed on its roster – all of which Richt brought in before coming to Coral Gables.
Well, the Canes may have found their fullback.
Multiple reports confirmed that Miami has added 6-foot, 265-pound fullback Marquez Williams to its roster – bringing in the former division-II standout from Mars College (N.C.).
Williams, who will be a redshirt sophomore with the Hurricanes, will be immediately eligible to play and should compete for playing time right away. He was awarded a scholarship, bringing UM's total up to 79.
Miami sparingly used a fullback this past season in the form of former walk-on Gage Batten. While he was fairly productive as special teams' player and would have been the incumbent starter at fullback this coming fall, Batten missed the spring with a foot injury and there's a significant level of uncertainty whether or not he'll be ready for fall camp.
According to his highlight tape, Williams can bench press 435 pounds; squat 525 pounds and power clean 340 pounds. In the highlight, Williams is seen playing either as a lead blocking/fullback and repeatedly colliding with defenders – most times bowling them over.
Williams was a South Atlantic Conference (SAC) 1st team selection in 2015 for Mars Hill, helping pave the way for the team to rush for 190 yards per game and 17 rushing touchdowns. Before going to the D-2 college, Williams played at Clarke Central High School in Athens, Georgia – minutes away from the University of Georgia.
Richt is familiar with Mars Hill College, as his son and Hurricanes quarterbacks' coach Jon Richt played quarterback for the Lions and graduated from the school in 2012.
If Williams can mirror the play he showed at Mars Hill with the Hurricanes, it should make a lot of people very happy. Richt has said on multiple occasions since his hiring that he wants to play a more physical brand of football. Williams, who's also listed as a tight end, could help in pass protection for Miami's prized-possession – Brad Kaaya. And, most importantly, he could help UM's running game that sputtered at times in 2015 despite running back being Miami's deepest position.
Grimsley Transfers
Miami announced Monday that redshirt sophomore offensive lineman Tyler Grimsley has chosen to transfer to another school.
Richt gave a statement in the school's release.
"Tyler has decided to transfer away from our football program in the hopes of gaining more playing time," Richt said. "I certainly respect his decision and I wish him nothing but the best in his future college football career."