Freshman running back Bo Williams will seek a transfer from the UF football team this week, and backup quarterback Bryan Waggener is also contemplating leaving as well.
"I feel I?m not the best back here in the situation,C Williams said. BI?m more comfortable in a power offense.C
Because he was redshirted this season, Williams will have four years of eligibility at the school of his choice.
BOnce I get my release, I?m going to talk to my family and then take my visits,C he said. BRight now I don?t have a clue. I?m just taking it slow and focusing on my grades.C
Williams attended Oakland Park Northeast High, where he was rated the 19th-best back in the 2007 recruiting class, according to Scout.com.
He thrived as a power runner, which isn?t as valued in the Gators? spread offense.
The depth chart at the position looks crowded for next season, with Southern Cal transfer Emmanuel Moody, Mon Williams, Kestahn Moore, Brandon James, Markus Manson and Chris Rainey all in the mix.
BI?ve been doing good for the past five weeks,C Bo said. BUrban Meyer pulled me to the side and said I was going to be the guy here, but I want to go back to the old-school power game, where I can touch the ball 20 to 25 times a game.
BThe school is fantastic. I love the school. There?s nothing wrong with the school or the program, but I?ve got to feed my family.C
Williams would be the fourth player to transfer this season. Running back Chevon Walker, receiver Jarred Fayson and tight end Trent Pupello have already been granted releases from the team, and another could join that list soon.
Offensive coordinator Dan Mullen said Waggener approached him during the season about his future at UF, and they sat down with Meyer on Tuesday to discuss options.
BThere?s a chance he?s going to look for an opportunity to transfer to a school where he can play right away,C Mullen said.
Waggener was rated a four-star junior college quarterback at Glendora (Calif.) Citrus College. Waggener was expected to compete for playing time this season behind Tim Tebow, but broke his foot early in spring practice.
BWhen you look at a kid that?s that competitive that won championships in junior college that wants to get on the field, I think he?s looking for an opportunity where he can go and play next year,C Mullen said.
To do so, Waggener would have to transfer to a Division I-AA or Division II school, where NCAA rules wouldn?t force him to sit out for a season.
Former quarterback Ingle Martin made a similar move in 2004, leaving UF for Division I-AA Furman.
BI think he?s going to really look hard at what options are out there,C Mullen said. BAnd if something looks good, then I think he would (transfer).C
Waggener has also talked to Tebow about his thoughts concerning a transfer.
BYou want to be loyal, but you want to go somewhere and compete,C Tebow said. BHe?ll go somewhere and hopefully make an impact. He?s a good player, so he?ll try to have an opportunity where he can be the guy.C
