MIAMI - Former Oakleaf High football defensive end Chantz Williams has transferred from the University of Miami to the University of Charlotte for the upcoming fall season, according to a Miami press release.
Chantz, a 6-foot-4-inch, 255-pound edge/defensive end, appeared in 39 games over four seasons with the Hurricanes, which included 36 games played over the last three seasons where the fourth-year junior recorded 39 tackles with 4.5 tackles for loss and 1.5 sacks during his time in Miami.
Williams’ addition is expected to fill the void for Charlotte, who finished 3-9 last season, after losing defensive end Eyabi Okie-Anoma, who was easily the club’s top defensive lineman and one of the top defensive players in the American Athletic Conference last year with 55 tackles and 11.5 tackles for loss with 5.5. sacks.
Additionally, Williams is expected to help bolster a 49ers’ defense that ranked 91st out of 133 FBS teams in points allowed per game (28.6) – ranking among the bottom third in the American in several major defensive categories.
As an Oakleaf High Knight, Williams, who joined former Oakleaf offensive tackle Jalen Rivers, still at Miami, was a four-star recruit in the class of 2020 and was rated as the No. 4 weak-side defensive end nationally and No. 12 player in Florida by 247Sports while also being selected to participate in 2020 Under Armour All-America Game.
Oakleaf has produced three Under Armour All-Americans; Williams, Rivers and linebacker Shaquille Quarterman, all who played for Miami. Quarterman was drafted in 2020 by the Jacksonville Jaguars and is still on the roster. Rivers is a fifth-year junior at Miami and a 2023 All-ACC second team selection.
The Orange Park, Florida native signed with the Hurricanes over offers from Alabama, Clemson, Florida, Florida State and Georgia.
Williams’ best career day came against Group of Five foe Middle Tennessee State in 2022, where he had four tackles and three quarterback hurries.
Williams, while at Oakleaf, also excelled in basketball and track.
Charlotte has on its schedule NCAA powers such as North Carolina, Rice, Navy, East Carolina and University of South Florida.
Also in college football action from Oakleaf High School, former running back Keshawn King, a three-year player for Virginia Tech University, who transferred to Western Michigan University's Broncos football program in 2023, but was injured after four games, is expected to return to the lineup in 2024. King is a fifth-year redshirt junior. King, who rushed for 4,800 yards for Oakleaf with 66 touchdowns, led the Hokies in rushing in 2022 with 443 yards with three scores.