Report: Cincinnati Bearcats Football Adds Middle Tennessee State Transfer Safety Xavier Williams

UC has beefed up its secondary this winter.

Liberty quarterback Kaidon Salter (7) runs the option as he is stopped by Middle Tennessee safety Xavier Williams (18) during the Salute to Veterans & Armed Forces game at MTSU on Saturday, Nov. 9, 2024. / HELEN COMER/The Daily News Journal / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

CINCINNATI — The Bearcats added more safety talent on Monday night out of the transfer portal. 247Sports's Matt Zenitz reported Middle Tennessee safety Xavier Williams is headed to Cincinnati.

The veteran hasn't actually played much safety after switching there from quarterback in 2023 while at UCF. He then posted a team-best 77 tackles, including three TFLs, an interception, three pass breakups, and a fumble recovery with MTSU this past season in his first true year at the spot plaing in games.

It amounted to a 67.9 PFF grade on 573 snaps. The 6-2, 205-pound talent adds more versatility to a Cincinnati secondary that should be a strength this year. Williams played mostly in the box near the line of scrimmage at MTSU and showed some skills as a slot cornerback in what figures to be a versatile role at UC.

He is the Bearcats' 12th transfer addition in the cycle.

Former Middle Tennessee All-Conference USA safety Xavier Williams is expected to transfer to Cincinnati, @chris_hummer and I have learned for @cbssports/@247sports.

Recorded 75 tackles and an interception this year.https://t.co/10Sz3YxlzO pic.twitter.com/Sob2Ezvq9s

— Matt Zenitz (@mzenitz) January 7, 2025

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