University of Oregon senior Brandon Williams will be forced to forego his senior season with the Ducks football team due to a chronic injury, head coach Chip Kelly confirmed on Friday.
The 6-foot-4, 237-pound tight end from Merrionette Park, Ill., caught two passes for 48 yards in the 11 games he played in 2010. Williams was diagnosed with a narrow spinal canal and has a bulging disc in his back, according to a report Friday morning from Rob Moseley of The Register-Guard.
The injury was discovered while doctors were examining Williams following the Ducks’ spring football game, which Williams left early due to another injury.
“It’s heartbreaking,” Williams told The Register-Guard. “Almost like losing a loved one. I’ve been playing football all my life, and then to find this out right before my senior season, it’s tough. It’s been a challenge dealing with it, but I’m getting through it.”
Williams will remain on scholarship at Oregon with intentions to finish his degree in sociology.
“Brandon has worked hard to overcome this latest setback, but it is in his best interest to step away from the game at this time,” Kelly said in a statement on Friday. “His presence will certainly be missed.”
Williams was a first-team NJCAA All-American for Joliet Junior College in 2009 after he led the team with 56 receptions for 908 yards and seven touchdowns. Williams also played basketball for Joliet.
Despite his undeniable physical talent, Williams was slow to pick up the Oregon playbook when he arrived in the spring of 2010, which ultimately hindered his playing time early on before he broke his hand during the second week of the season. Once Williams returned, he wore a padded cast over the injured hand, which limited his pass-catching ability noticeably.
Behind starter David Paulson, Oregon’s backup tight end entering fall camp will likely be true freshman Colt Lyerla, while sophomore walk-on Brian Teague and redshirt freshman Curtis White will compete for playing time as well.