The once deep position of quarterback has taken a big hit as Georgia Southern quarterback Dexter Williams has officially left the Eagle football team and is entering the transfer portal. Williams played in five games for the Eagles this season and helped Georgia Southern come from behind to defeat Marshall and most recently South Alabama. 

Williams completed 19 of 30 passes this season for 248 yards and three touchdowns. He also rushed for 45 yards and one touchdown.

Notably Williams led the Eagles from a 23-5 deficit against Marshall to a 24-25 victory. Williams entered the game with less than nine minutes to play and led the Eagles to three touchdowns. Williams passed for 135 yards, threw for one score and rushed for another in the improbable victory.

Saturday against South Alabama the Eagles trailed 30-27 with less than 11 minutes to play in the game. Williams came in for an injured J.C. French and led the team to the go-ahead score on a 22-yard touchdown pass to Dalen Cobb with 8:14 left in the game.

When asked about Williams possibility of starting Coach Clay Helton repeatedly stated that J.C. French would continue to be the Eagles starter unless he were injured or showed notable regression at quarterback. He did go on to say Williams could see time as a back-up if French were struggling in a game.

The timing of Williams departure is a bit unusual because Williams has now played in five games and the NCAA has a rule that a player loses a redshirt year if they play more than four games. Williams did not complete a pass in the S.C. State game but took two knees when inserted at the end of the game.

Williams came to Georgia Southern through the transfer portal from Indiana University. While at IU Williams played in four games and made two starts his sophomore season. He missed his redshirt freshman year with an ACL tear and missed his junior season with another ACL tear.

Williams was in a hotly contested battle over the spring and fall camp with French and David Dallas. The job was ultimately won by French with Dallas being named as the No. 2 starter and Williams as third string. Dallas has been bothered with a shoulder injury throughout the season and Williams was promoted to back-up.

Quarterback was one of the deeper positions at Georgia Southern entering the season but is now quite thin with Williams gone and David Dallas still injured. French is the starter with true freshman Tyler Budge now promoted to the No. 2 position. The No. 3 position is still yet to be determined. Colton Fitzgerald is currently injured and the only other quarterback on the roster is freshman Trey Townsend from Calhoun GA.

The Eagles are off this Saturday and will return home next Saturday as they host Troy at 4:00 at Paulson Stadium.