Sports

ASU star WR Williams to transfer

• Albany State’s leading receiver and former Monroe star, Lamontray Williams, decides to transfer to neighboring Valdosta State.

Scott Chancey

ALBANY — Albany State’s leading receiver, Lamontray Williams, confirmed to The Herald on Monday he is transferring to defending NCAA Division II champion Valdosta State and plans to play there this fall as a walk-on at first.

“I just felt it was a better fit for me up there,” said Williams, who still is enrolled at Albany State and will finish the semester, but did not participate in spring practice. “I feel the offense that they run is better and fits my style of play. Albany State has a good offense, but I don’t think it fits my style and the way I play the game. I gave it a year to see how it would all pan out, and this last season was my second year and I just really felt a little lost. So that’s why I’m wanting to go there and try to fit in with (Valdosta State’s) offense.”

Albany State is 1-13 against the Blazers but won’t face them this year for the first time since 1997 unless it reaches the postseason.

With that in mind, Albany State head football coach Mike White refused to release Williams from his scholarship, but Williams had a hearing with school board members outside the athletic department, and as a result of that hearing, was in Williams’ favor.

“I did not want him released to Valdosta, and as any coach I have the right to do that,” White said. “He’s a good player, and any time you lose a good player, it’s always tough to replace him and the toughest thing is to possibly face him in the playoffs. It’s Just one of those things that is part of college football.”

Williams told The Herald he is walking on because Valdosta State signed a host of players during its signing period. A star receiver at Monroe High School, Williams made 22 catches for 335 yards — but no touchdowns last season.

Nick Kyles, who also was a receiver on Albany State’s team last fall, is already enrolled at Championship Subdivision Georgia Southern and will sit out this fall to become eligible in 2009. In NCAA Division II, there are no sit-out transfer rules except those mandated by conferences. For instance, the SIAC (Albany State’s conference) requires that a player sit out if he or she transfers to fellow conference school such as Fort Valley State or Morehouse.

The Rams feature a run-first offense and will likely be that way again this season with running backs like Gary Neavins, LiRonnie Davis and Demetrice Johnson all returning.

“Valdosta State basically passes the ball, and with me coming from Monroe, that’s what we do, passing wise,” Williams said. “I want to get those same feelings from high school. I think it’ll be a better fit for me up there, receiving-wise.”

Williams, who now works out every day at Monroe, still has fond memories from Albany State, where he was part of the 2006 conference co-championship team that shared the crown with Tuskegee.

“Albany State is a good school,” he said. “I’m glad they gave me the chance to show my ability on what I can do. They’ve got a good program over there, but it’s just that this program doesn’t really fit me as a player and that’s what I’m trying to correct right now. They have good coaches and they work hard. I’m just thankful they gave me an opportunity.”

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