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Nebraska's All-Big Ten Specialist Enters Transfer Portal

Kenneth Williams, who stole the show on special teams as a kick returner this fall, leaves Nebraska with two years of eligibility remaining.
Trevor Tarr|
Kenneth Williams totaled 395 yards on 12 kickoff returns this fall, which earned him second-team all-conference recognition.
Kenneth Williams totaled 395 yards on 12 kickoff returns this fall, which earned him second-team all-conference recognition. | Scott Bruhn/Nebraska Athletics

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Nebraska Cornhuskers

On the morning of day seven of the 15-day transfer portal window, Nebraska saw a familiar face in the return game elect to enter the transfer portal.

After Mike Ekeler oversaw one of the most dramatic turnarounds of any unit in college football this fall, his kickoff return specialist, Kenneth Williams, took to social media Thursday morning to share the news of his decision.

With two years of eligibility remaining, Williams will take his talents to another school next fall.

"Official in the portal," Williams announced. "Thank you Nebraska for everything."

Uprooting his life before his senior year of high school, Williams moved from Detroit to Lincoln, bringing his impressive track speed to Lincoln High. As a Link, he immediately displayed positional versatility and a knack for outrunning nearly everyone else on the field.

After gaining little interest from Division I schools, Williams elected to walk on at Nebraska. Redshirting in 2023, he did not play in a game but was often described as the kind of player who helps build the culture within the program.

In 2024, Williams played in two games. Though he's most known for his special teams role, Williams spent the majority of his time developing within the running backs room under coach E.J. Barthel. Against UTEP, Williams had a five-yard carry, then did not see the field until the Huskers' Pinstripe Bowl game against Boston College. In New York, he notched a 23-yard kickoff return against the Eagles, marking the first of his career.

The 2025 season was where Williams burst onto the scene. After Nebraska found a new special teams coordinator in Ekeler over the offseason, the Huskers made special teams a weapon and Williams got his opportunity to showcase his speed.

This past fall, the sophomore earned the starting role as Nebraska's kickoff returner. On 12 returns this season, Williams totaled a team-high 395 yards. Most notable were his return for a touchdown to start the second half against Northwestern, and a near touchdown against Maryland. On those two returns alone, Williams totaled 180 yards.

In the road game against Maryland, Nebraska had been struggling on offense for much of the contest. However, Williams made what arguably was the play of the game with his 85-yard kickoff return, which set up the offense on the Terrapins' 10-yard line. Nebraska scored two plays later and went on to win, 34-31.

After providing that much-needed spark, Williams was awarded a scholarship during the Huskers' postgame celebration in the locker room. It was one of those heartwarming moments that can make fans fall in love with the sport all over again.

However, just short of three months later, Williams is searching for a new school to call home in 2026.

The decision likely comes due to his limited playing time outside of special teams. Williams undoubtedly has the speed to make a difference at running back, but for reasons known only to Nebraska's staff, he was never given an extended runway on offense. He leaves Lincoln having totaled six carries for 27 yards, and one reception for an additional 20.

Apart from his special teams role, Williams enters the portal without much in-game tape to prove his worth, but there likely will be no shortage of interest from Power Four schools. He inarguably was a difference-maker for the Huskers this fall, and that alone should ensure that he'll find a satisfactory place to call home.

While his exit may be disappointing for Husker fans, Williams will likely opt for a school where a larger role on offense is the result. At the end of the day, he is a running back, and he was never able to earn many carries at Nebraska.

His pending departure doesn't appear to be about financial gain, but more about getting an opportunity to showcase his talents in a featured role. The competitive nature Williams has shown might be what ultimately sent him packing for the portal.

As a result, Nebraska is losing one of the most promising kickoff returners in recent school history. However, Ekeler has proven able to reload and replace at positions of need throughout his coaching career. The loss stings, as they usually do, but Williams' decision is ultimately about what is best for his playing career.

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Trevor Tarr
TREVOR TARR

Trevor Tarr is the founder of Skers Scoop, a Nebraska football media outlet delivering original coverage through writing, graphics, and video content. He began his career in collegiate athletics at the University of South Dakota, producing media for the football team and assisting with athletic fundraising. A USD graduate with a background in journalism and sports marketing, Trevor focuses on creative, fan-driven storytelling in college football.

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