Wyoming Cornerback To Enter NCAA Transfer Portal

LARAMIE -- Charles Williams is entering the NCAA Transfer Portal.

The redshirt freshman announced the move Saturday on social media following Wyoming's scrimmage inside War Memorial Stadium. The 6-foot, 168-pound cornerback never saw the field during his lone season in Laramie.

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College football's version of free agency is set to officially open Wednesday. The spring window will close April 25, less than 24 hours ahead of the Cowboys annual spring game.

Williams is the fourth known player to leave this April, joining running back Harrison Waylee, nickel corner Wrook Brown and edge rusher Sabastian Harsh, who has already committed to North Carolina State.

Defensive end Dawan Martin, a transfer from Youngstown State, is also looking for a new home. The reason for the graduate transfer's departure is unknown. Wyoming head coach Jay Sawvel said last Saturday he is "no longer with the team and won't be relevant."

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Williams was a three-star recruit out of Marin Catholic High School in California's Bay Area. He helped lead the Wildcats to a state championship during his senior season, snagging six interceptions during the postseason.

He made the move to defensive back after being named the Offensive Player of the Year in Class D-3A, where he rolled up more than 1,600 yards of total offense and found the end zone 31 times out of the backfield.

Williams was rated the No. 8 running back in the state by SBLive California. He was also an all-state selection.

"He's an unbelievably bright kid, football-IQ wise," former UW recruiting coordinator Gordie Haug said on signing day in 2023. "He fits Wyoming and what we're trying to do."

Williams, who was one of Craig Bohl's final signees before passing the baton to Sawvel that December, was also recruited by Fresno State, Oregon State, San Diego State and San Jose State.

"Thank you to the University of Wyoming and the entire coaching staff for the opportunity to be a part of this program," Williams penned on X. "... I'm truly grateful for the sport guidance development during my time. With that being said, I've decided to enter the transfer portal with four years of eligibility remaining. Thank you everyone for the support and being a part of my journey. Excited for what's next."

Sawvel and Co. are expected to be buyers when the market opens and, according to a source, will now be looking to add a pair of defensive backs, along with a punter, a running back, a wide receiver and possibly another defensive end and offensive lineman.

"I think that we could potentially look at hopefully adding four to five people," Sawvel said last Thursday. "But look, you say that, you still have to find the player, right? The one thing you don't want to do is get a gift that keeps on giving. You get a guy that's not a good enough player, and it's just, now what?

"... You got a big barrel of apples and all it takes is to throw one s----- apple in there and the rest of your barrel can spoil. So, we got to be really careful with the personalities that we're working with and dealing with all the way through."