Two football players exit the program; Williams given second chance

Junior running back Terence Williams runs through two defenders in a 62-22 loss to TCU on Nov. 5 2016 at McLane Stadium. Lariat File Art

By Jakob Brandenburg | Radio Intern

Baylor head football coach Matt Rhule announced Tuesday afternoon at a press conference that offensive lineman Ishmael Wilson and defensive back Jourdan Blake were no longer a part of the football team.

A third player, running back Terence Williams, indicated in a Snapchat post that he was dismissed from the team, however Rhule said the junior rusher is still a member of the squad on the condition that he meets team standards.

Rhule didn’t give further details on why Wilson and Blake are no longer with the program, but he stressed they were not dismissed from the team.

“I’m not going to get into the particulars because they’re really good people and I want to be respectful of them,” Rhule said. “It’s important to note that this is nothing criminal. It’s just really about our program moving forward.”

Rhule indicated that both players would continue to work toward graduating with a degree from Baylor, and wished them luck.

Rhule met with Williams on Monday to let him know he was not living up to expectations as a teammate and member of the program. Williams asked to meet with Rhule again on Tuesday, and wanted another opportunity and promised to be a great teammate.

“At the end of the day that’s the most important thing to me,” Rhule said. “Our kids have been through a lot, and they need to know they can count on each other.”

Williams met with the team’s leadership council, and they voted that Williams deserved a second chance.

“I love Terence, just like I love all the players,” Rhule said. “As I told him, there will be no third chance.”

Although he didn’t provide details, Rhule said that Williams has some things he must do to prove he is re-dedicated to the team. Williams was Baylor’s leading rusher last season, and has played in two games this season after returning from offseason shoulder surgery.