BYU RB Jamaal Williams withdraws from school, plans 2016 return

BYU running back Jamaal Williams has withdrawn from school and will redshirt the 2015 season.

BYU running back Jamaal Williams has withdrawn from school and will redshirt the 2015 season, BYU announced on Thursday.

Williams withdrew for personal reasons. Head coach Bronco Mendenhall said the plan is for Williams to rejoin the Cougars for the 2016 season.

Williams has led BYU in rushing in two of the last three seasons. The 6'0" running back has recorded 2,526 rushing yards and 23 rushing touchdowns in his three-year career.

Last season, Williams rushed for 518 yards and four touchdowns in seven games before sustaining a season-ending knee injury.

• SI's preseason college football top 25

Williams, who would have been a senior this year, was named to the Doak Walker Award Watch List for 2015 prior to withdrawing from school.

BYU opens the 2015 season on Sept. 5 with a road game at Nebraska.

- Molly Geary