UM has a new quarterback in Memphis transfer Ryan Williams of Miramar. He's 6-6 and 220-pounds and led Miramar High to its first state title. Williams threw for 2,075 yards and 13 touchdowns last season as a true freshman at Memphis -- 1-11 last season.

Unfortunately, Williams also threw 10 picks last season and was sacked 30 times of 37 total Memphis sacks allowed. Miami's offensive line has got to be infinitely better than Memphis', so that likely won't be as much of a concern.

Williams took over at Memphis for former Miami Hurricane Cannon Smith in the Tigers' third game after Smith sustained a concussion during Memphis' second game.

The Memphis Commercial Appeal reported in mid-March that Williams left the program on the opening day of spring practice and that his father, Rich, said his son left because coach Larry Porter was changing the offensive scheme from pro-style to spread.

Williams will sit out next season, as will Michigan quarterback transfer Tate Forcier. After Jacory Harris leaves following the 2011 season, it will be Stephen Morris, Forcier and Williams battling it out for the starting slot -- that is, unless more quarterbacks are on the roster.

-- SUSAN MILLER DEGNAN

HERE'S THE UM RELEASE

Quarterback Ryan Williams Officially Joins the Hurricanes

Former Memphis quarterback returns home to South Florida





CORAL GABLES, Fla.—The University of Miami has announced that quarterback Ryan Williams has officially joined the football program. Williams played for one season at the University of Memphis.

A native of Broward County, Fla. and Miramar High School, Williams enrolled early at Memphis in January of 2010 and worked out with the team during the spring season. Williams was named the Offensive MVP of the Blue-Gray game after completing 15-of-17 pass attempts for 186 yards and three touchdowns.

“We are thrilled to have Ryan join our offense,” said offensive coordinator/quarterbacks coach Jedd Fisch. “He has experience starting as a true freshman at the Division I level, he has led a team to a state high school championship in the state of Florida, and now he is home to help us bring championship-level football back to the U.”

As a true freshman in 2010, he played in all 12 games, starting 10 and completed 165-of-290 passes for 2,075 yards and 13 touchdowns. Williams earned the starting job over former Hurricane Cannon Smith after only the second game of his collegiate career, and went on to start the remaining 10 contests.

“With the addition of Ryan Williams, we add toughness, incredible work ethic and smarts on-and- off the field,” said head coach Al Golden. “His innate leadership skills were shown to South Florida as a high school state champion. Those are skills that jump off the film and the reason our entire program is excited to welcome Ryan to the U.”

Out of high school, Williams was named all-county by the Sun-Sentinel and is the only quarterback in Florida to hold two state championship records. In his prep career, was named Beef O’Brady’s MVP of the 6A Championship game after finishing 18-of-21 for 254 yards and a state-record five touchdowns to lead Miramar to its first ever Florida State Championship. The 85.7 completion percentage in that game was also a state record.

The 6-6, 220-pound passer threw for 2,455 yards and 26 touchdowns as a senior. He was named Player of the Week twice by Maxpreps.com. Prior to his senior year, Williams spent the previous two seasons at American Heritage High School before transferring. As a junior he was named team MVP and broke school records for passing yards and most passing touchdowns in a season. During his sophomore campaign, Williams led his team to a perfect 10-0 record.