KNOXVILLE -- The Tennessee football program's roster took its second hit of the week.
Sophomore wide receiver Preston Williams, a former five-star recruit, has decided to leave the Volunteers and will seek a transfer, the Times Free Press confirmed Wednesday night.
The decision was reported first by VolQuest.com.
Tennessee confirmed on Thursday evening Williams had been granted a release from his scholarship, and sources indicated he'll likely head to junior college before continuing his college career at another program.
The 6-foot-4, 209-pound Williams was poised for a breakout second season at Tennessee, but it never materialized and his role and production had decreased sharply the past few games.
After catching five passes in the season opener against Appalachian State, Williams caught only four passes in the following five games. Three of those receptions were against Ohio, when he had a pass bounce off his hands for an interception. He had one catch in the past three games.
As the playing time and targets increased for Jauan Jennings and Tyler Byrd, Williams's role diminished to the point where freshman Brandon Johnson was in the game late against Texas A&M to make his first career catch on Tennessee's game-tying drive late in regulation.
Williams committed to Tennessee after the Florida game in 2013 and stuck by his commitment despite serious interest from the likes of Auburn and Georgia.
He signed with the Vols after suffering a significant knee injury late during his senior season at Hampton's Lovejoy High School in the Atlanta area, and he wasn't cleared to play as a freshman until late August after he was forced to retake his college entrance test.
As a freshman Williams caught seven passes for 158 yards and two touchdowns -- both against Western Carolina -- in eight games.
It's been a wild season for Tennessee on the field with thrilling games and unlikely comebacks, but the Vols have been busy in terms of off-field news, too.
Cornerbacks Malik Foreman and Justin Martin were suspended for the Ohio and Georgia games, respectively, for violating team rules, and defensive tackle Danny O'Brien was dismissed for the program for an unspecified violation of team rules, likely another failed drug test.
Contact Patrick Brown at pbrown@timesfreepress.com.