UK football transfer target expected to visit campus this weekend

A former Nebraska football player who is looking to transfer and would be eligible to play immediately this season is expected to visit the University of Kentucky this weekend.

Kevin Williams — a 6-foot-2, 275-pound defensive tackle from Holland, Ohio — was part of the Cornhuskers’ recruiting class of 2011 and has been with the program ever since. He was not at Nebraska’s spring game Saturday, and Coach Mike Riley announced after the scrimmage that Williams would transfer for the 2016 season.

Williams earned his degree in August 2014 and has played the past two seasons as a graduate student. He has been granted a sixth year of eligibility by the NCAA, and UK and Texas A&M have both been mentioned as possible landing spots.

UK’s defensive front would benefit from the addition of Williams, who could provide an immediate impact on the interior of the defensive line. Williams missed the 2011 and 2013 seasons due to knee injuries, and he was sidelined for five games last fall with a groin injury. He missed spring practice this year with a wrist injury.

When healthy, Williams has proven himself to be a valuable contributor on the defensive line. He has started four games for the Huskers — two each over the past two seasons — and had his best showing in 2014, totaling 19 tackles, including eight tackles for loss and three sacks. Last season, he was part of a Nebraska unit that ranked top 10 nationally in rushing defense.

UK recruiting coordinator and tight ends coach Vince Marrow was on the Huskers’ staff during Williams’ first two seasons in Lincoln. Since Marrow came to UK three years ago, Greg Hart, Braylon Heard and Courtney Love have transferred from Nebraska to Kentucky. Like Williams, all three of those players are from Marrow’s home state of Ohio.

Rivals.com ranked Williams as the No. 36 defensive tackle nationally in the recruiting class of 2011. He attended Springfield High School, the same school as current UK commitment Bryant Koback, a running back in the class of 2017.

Marrow was the head coach at Springfield High in 2009, which was Williams’ junior season.

This story was originally published April 18, 2016 at 6:19 AM with the headline "UK football transfer target expected to visit campus this weekend."