Carl Williams IV arrived at Oregon with a fresh start on his mind and a healthy body to match.
After the final two seasons of his Baylor run were wrecked by injuries, Williams said Monday at Oregon Media Day that he made it through spring ball without a setback and is “ready to go” as fall practice begins this week. A knee injury limited him badly over the 2024 and 2025 seasons, keeping him out of 16 of 25 games and allowing him to appear in only one game last fall.
That makes this next stretch feel different for the Ducks defensive back, who flashed as a freshman in 2023 and now wants to pick up where that promise left off.
"It's been a long process, but I'm ready to go," he said on Monday. "I knew that I could come here and make an impact if I prove myself, and that's what I'm doing."
Williams joined Oregon in January after what he called a “pretty fast” portal process. The Ducks were in the market for someone who could push to fill the opening at STAR left by Jadon Canady, and Williams liked the opportunity immediately.
"I got the call about Oregon, and knew the situation I was coming in to to compete and it was something I wanted to do, so that's why I chose Oregon," he explained. "I feel like I could give my best, and my best is enough to compete at this level."
At 6-foot-1 and 192 pounds at Baylor, Williams brings a different frame than Canady, who was listed at 5-foot-11 and 185 pounds. Their games aren’t the same either. Williams was better known for coverage, posting an 83.5 PFF grade, while his freshman season featured a 58.3 PFF tackling grade in space.
Still, Williams made it clear he respects what Canady brought to the spot.
"He was a dawg," Williams said of Canady. "So seeing him and seeing what he did, and just having a chance to compete at that same spot, it just shows you can ball at this position and you can make plays at this position like Jadon Canady did."
Since arriving in Eugene, Williams said he’s gotten a feel for the program’s identity. Oregon has the resources, the facilities and the new gear, but he said the real edge is the work that gets put in behind the scenes.
"This is a hard-working school. There's all the glitz and glamor, but we really put in the hard work," he explained.
"That's kind of the vibe I got coming in here, 'be ready to put your hard hat on and get to work'. That's something that I appreciate."
And that work hasn’t been limited to meetings and walkthroughs. Williams has already been tested daily by Oregon’s receiving talent, going up against Evan Stewart, Dakorien Moore and Jeremiah McClellan in practice.
"Just being able to compete with those guys on a daily basis, I think separates Oregon from my previous place," he explained.
In Other News...
Oregons New Transfer Wideout Is Already Turning Heads At Camp
Fall camp is underway in Eugene, and Oregon is already getting an early look at one of its newest offensive additions. Iverson Hooks, the transfer wide receiver from UAB, has drawn notice from Dan Lanning, who pointed to the speed and overall playmaking ability that make him an intriguing fit as the Ducks start sorting out their receiver mix ahead of the Sept. 5 opener against Boise State.
Hooks steps into a room that already has established returners and more transfer help, giving Oregon plenty of options as it tries to sharpen an offense built for a championship push. How quickly he settles into his role will be one of the more interesting camp storylines, especially with the Ducks looking for every edge they can find in a receiver group that still has room to define itself. [Read more 🡒]
Oregon Fans Already Have A New Name To Watch At Receiver
Fall camp opened with a familiar buzz around Oregons offense, but one of the first players to draw attention was a newcomer. Five-star receiver Jalen Lott was on the field with the Ducks alongside fellow newcomer Immanuel Iheanacho, and Lott quickly made his presence felt with an acrobatic catch in practice that hinted at the athletic upside that made him such a sought-after recruit.
For Oregon, the early look at Lott is as much about future fit as immediate flash. The Ducks already have a deep receiver rotation, so the staff will have to figure out how to work him into the mix as camp and the season move forward. Even in a crowded room, a player who can make a highlight-reel grab that early tends to earn attention fast. [Read more 🡒]