Former OSU Linebacker Denies Quotes To Be Used In SI Drugs Story

Donnell Williams told me he wanted the truth to be told. The former OSU linebacker was kicked off the team by Mike Gundy in 2006 after multiple fights, including with teammate Artrell Woods.

Williams told me in two separate conversations Wednesday night that he's struggled trying to find a place to play football, was incarcerated for a period of time, and feels good about a "new start" in Jackson, Miss., where he hopes to play at NAIA school Belhaven.

Williams' story is not unlike other former OSU players who are now recanting what they said, or what they are reported by SI.com to have said regarding serious allegations with OSU.

The deep-voiced Houston native says investigative writer Thayer Evans called him March 15 and told him he wanted to do a story about his "new start." But, similar to other stories from former players, Williams told me when they met the next day in Houston, Evans focused not on him and his story, but on Gundy and drug use in the program.

Williams told me Evans wanted to know who used and sold drugs but that his only answer was, "drugs are everywhere," as in the world, not the football program. He said that was the only thing he said about drugs.

Williams told me he saw the third installment of SI's five-part series on OSU and was surprised and upset that he was quoted saying more than the comment about drugs being everywhere. Williams told me the report will say he saw players regularly using drugs, saying that failed drug tests were overlooked and that teammates regularly sold drugs.

I don't know what's true and what isn't. But Williams sounded sure of himself. And sure that he had been deceived by the SI writer.

Oh, Williams said Evans recorded their conversation. So, another confusing case of he-said she-said can be easily decided.

Time to hear the tape.