Ole Miss football linebacker Sam Williams has charges dropped, will return to team and practice on Wednesday

Ole Miss linebacker Sam Williams has been cleared to return to the team, the university confirmed this morning. Williams, who was arrested and charged with sexual battery by the Lafayette County Sheriff’s Department in Oxford, received an indefinite suspension from all team-related activities on July 26th. All charges have since been dropped.

“With no pending charges, Sam Williams has returned to football activities. We defer to his legal counsel on questions regarding his case,” a statement from Ole Miss read.

Williams, a senior from Montgomery, Ala., alluded to his return on Facebook.

The Northeast Mississippi Community College transfer, who was the No. 7 junior college prospect in 2018 and made eight starts at outside linebacker last season, is expected to be a big part of the Rebels’ defense this fall. His reinstatement will be welcomed and the process has already begun. Sources say that Williams was in the practice facility all of last week, and his social media confirmed the reports.

At 6-foot-4, 268.5 pounds, co-defensive coordinators DJ Durkin and Chris Partridge are getting an integral piece to the defense back in the locker room. The big-bodied, limber, edge-rushing linebacker tallied 37 tackles a year ago and led the Rebels with six sacks. In addition, he recorded 9.5 tackles for loss and five quarterback hurries.

Prior to his suspension, Big Sam was having an unbelievable off season and doing freak things during workouts. Not only was he dead-lifting 750 pounds, he was clocked near a 4.5-second 40-yard dash and kept up with Jerrion Ealy during team sprints.

During his time away from the team, Williams has stayed in top physical shape.

Tuesday was an off day for first-year head coach Lane Kiffin and Ole Miss, so Williams’ official return to practice will come on Wednesday.