Ricky Williams explains decision to transfer from Clemson to South Carolina
South Carolina has nabbed another transfer from its Upstate rival.
Former Clemson pitcher and River Bluff High School product Ricky Williams announced his commitment to USC on Wednesday afternoon through a social media announcement.
“I made the decision to transfer because I felt like I needed a fresh start,” Williams told The State on Wednesday night. “I picked USC because the opportunity came at the right time for me.
“I had passed on the opportunity two years ago, and felt that God was opening that door again for a reason. I also enjoy the fact that I will be very close to home and my family members will be able to come watch me.”
Williams announced on Monday that he was going into the transfer portal and said he was contacted by several in-state programs but settled on the Gamecocks and playing for coach Mark Kingston.
“Coach Kingston is giving me an opportunity to help the team,” Williams said. “He is hoping I can come in and be a big part of the pitching staff. I am just super thankful for the opportunity.”
Williams is playing this summer in the prestigious Cape Cod League for the Chatham Anglers. He has pitched a scoreless inning in his lone appearance so far.
Williams appeared in nine games — including three starts — for the Tigers in 2022. He finished the campaign with a 2.95 ERA in 21.1 innings pitched, allowing 18 hits and seven earned runs along with 12 strikeouts.
The Lexington native was rated the No. 356 overall player and No. 122 right-handed pitcher in the country and the No. 10 overall player and No. 5 righty in South Carolina by Perfect Game.
He earned all-state honors as a sophomore and junior at River Bluff, committing to Clemson ahead of his junior season.
Williams is the third ex-Tiger to land with the Gamecocks this offseason along with catcher Jonathan French and outfielder/first baseman Dylan Brewer.
“It’s great knowing that there will be some familiar faces there, and even better knowing that I will be among former high school rivals, and summer league teammates,” Williams said.
Gamecocks coach Mark Kingston has also landed commitments from all-American Athletic Conference hitter Jacob Compton (Memphis), infielder/pitcher Chris Veach (Presbyterian) and reliever Nick Proctor (California).
South Carolina finished the 2021 campaign 27-28 and 13-17 in the Southeastern Conference despite notching series wins over Vanderbilt, Ole Miss and Texas — the latter two of which made it to the College World Series.
Clemson fired head coach Monte Lee earlier this month following his seventh season with the program. He’s since been replaced by Michigan’s Erik Bakich.
Lee was let go after failing to reach the postseason for the second consecutive year. He reached the NCAA tournament every year between 2016 and 2019, but never reached a Super Regional during that span.
South Carolina baseball transfer commits
RHP Nick Proctor — California
RHP Ricky Williams — Clemson
1B/OF Dylan Brewer — Clemson
C Jonathan French — Clemson
1B/OF Jacob Compton — Memphis
INF/RHP Chris Veach — Presbyterian
This story was originally published June 22, 2022 at 4:17 PM with the headline "Ricky Williams explains decision to transfer from Clemson to South Carolina."
