Williams leaves BCS school to play at Albion College

Albion College was already supposed to be a threat to repeat as MIAA football champions with the return of running back Clinton Orr and the passing attack of quarterback Spencer Krauss and receiver Brian Spencer.

Well, Albion’s chances just improved with the addition of former Cincinnati Bearcats’ running back Darrin Williams who led Detroit King to the Division 2 state title his senior year when he rushed for 2,837 yards.

So, how did Williams end up at Albion? It started with a conversation with his former King teammate Chris Greenwood who had an All-American career as a cornerback at Albion before getting drafted in the fifth round of the NFL Draft by the Lions in April. And, Williams’ journey to Albion was underway.

Williams, a 5-foot-7, 170-pound back, has breakaway speed (4.4 40) and is a dangerous option on special teams, running one kickoff 100 yards for a TD while playing for Brian Kelly at Cincinnati in a 2009 game. He is now healthy after suffering hamstring and ankle problems in past seasons.

The Britons will be tough to stop with Orr, a two-time 1,000-yard rusher at Albion, rotating with Williams in the Brits’ pistol offense. Orr has already received looks from numerous NFL scouts, including the Raiders a week ago.

Williams will get his first chance to play in front of the home fans Saturday afternoon when Albion hosts No. 15 Wheaton and its All-American quarterback Garrett Meador who threw for nearly 3,000 yards and 28 TDs last season.

It should be a high-scoring game with Orr and Williams a threat to score every time they touch the ball. A win over Wheaton could be an indication the Britons are a legitimate threat to make a run in the DIII playoffs come November.