Florida LB Scooby Williams Entering Transfer Portal

Scooby Williams, who emerged as a starting linebacker for Florida in 2023, intends to finish his college career elsewhere.

Linebacker Jeremiah "Scooby" Williams became the 20th scholarship member and/or starter from Florida's 2023 football roster with plans to transfer this offseason on Sunday. 

On3 Sports reported that Williams, a rising fourth-year redshirt junior, plans to enter the NCAA transfer portal with two seasons of eligibility to utilize elsewhere.

A native of Birmingham, Ala., Williams signed with Florida as a consensus top-75 overall prospect in the recruiting class of 2021, then considered to be the No. 4 edge rushing recruit in the country.

Both Florida's previous and current coaching staff, the latter led by Billy Napier, saw Williams as a better fit off the ball and in the second level of the defense. After redshirting in 2021, Williams took the field for eight games in 2022 and gathered 14 tackles.

It was in 2023 when Williams emerged as a starter in coordinator Austin Armstrong's Florida defense, playing next to sophomore Shemar James at inside linebacker. Williams accumulated 53 tackles including four for loss, one sack and two forced fumbles as a first-teamer for UF.

Williams' departure follows that of former UF inside linebackers coach Jay Bateman, who bolted to serve as defensive coordinator at Texas A&M on Dec. 21, fewer than 24 hours removed from Early Signing Day. 

Florida signed two linebacker prospects that day, Myles Graham of Gainesville (Fla.) Buchholz and Aaron Chiles of Olney (Md.) Our Lady Good Counsel.

Williams is the first inside linebacker to leave the Gators in search of a new program this offseason, although fellow 'backer Teradja Mitchell will move on from the team after exhausting his collegiate eligibility in 2023 with the Gators. 

Williams is the ninth multi-game starter from 2023 to exit Gainesville, however, following running back Trevor Etienne, wide receiver Caleb Douglas, offensive lineman Micah Mazzccua, edge rusher Princely Umanmielen, defensive backs Jalen Kimber, Miguel Mitchell and Jaydon Hill, and kicker Adam Mihalek. 

Find Florida's full list of transfer departures here. 

This is a breaking news story that will be updated. 

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