Penn transfer adds to Duke defense

Mason Williams will sit out year, have two seasons left

Brett Davis—X02835
Oct 29

Duke’s secondary got a boost when cornerback Mason Williams announced that he was transferring to Duke from Penn.

Mason Williams (Photo courtesy Penn Athletics)

Williams has played the last two seasons with the Ivy League Quakers. He will need to sit out this season and will have two years of eligibility, starting in 2018.

Williams didn’t discuss the reasons for his transfer, referring to it simply as a “despairing conflict.”

“I am looking forward to joining the Duke Community,” Williams posted on Twitter. “I cannot wait to learn from Defensive Coordinator coach Jim Knowles and Defensive Back coach Derek Jones. I am excited to test myself academically as well as athletically at this outstanding university, and I am honored to call myself a Blue Devil!”

The 5-foot-11, 175-pound defensive back came across the country from Pasadena, California to play for Penn. He appeared in all 10 games as a true freshman. Last year, he led the Ivy League with six interceptions, good for second-most in all of FCS. He was also 35th in FCS with 1.1 passes defended per game.

Williams was named Ivy League Defensive Player of the Week in November, after getting six tackles and an interception against Cornell. His sophomore year earned him first-team All-Ivy and ECAC All-Star honors.

Williams will be a walk-on for the Blue Devils. With seniors Bryon Fields and Zach Muniz both leaving after this season, there should be an opportunity for Williams to play next season.

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