After being dismissed from Oklahoma State due to rules violation, 3x Fargo Champion Jordan Williams heads to Little Rock for rest of his eligibility

Following his dismissal for rules violation, wrestling sophomore Jordan Williams has shifted from Oklahoma State University to join the Little Rock Trojans of the University of Arkansas. First-year coach and Olympic gold medalist David Taylor announced his ruling on Thursday, August 15, 2024.

Jordan Williams, the three-time Fargo champion, was arrested by OSU campus police for malicious injury to property and public intoxication charges, The Oklahoman (the largest daily newspaper of Oklahoma) reported. The police allegedly picked him up at 2:07 am from a parking lot outside Gallagher-Iba Arena, where Williams caused damage to the windshield of a golf cart.

The Tulsa native was ruled the next day itself, according to the new wrestling head coach David Taylor's statement.

"Jordan Williams is no longer part of the Cowboy Wrestling program due to a rules violation. We wish him well as he moves forward," said Taylor (via The Oklahoman)

A recent Instagram post of the Baschamania podcast announced that Jordan Williams will be heading to Little Rock, representing the University of Arkansas, for the remaining three years of eligibility.

Williams' arrest was the second time in 12 months after OSU campus police charged him on August 16, 2023, for reportedly operating a motor vehicle under the influence of alcohol. He was on probation till February 6, 2024, for his first rule violation.

David Taylor, who made his first decision as the new head coach, replaced John Smith after his retirement. The former joined the Oklahoma wrestling team on May 6 after amassing several accolades across his career, including an Olympic gold in 2021. He also served as the owner and operator of the M2 Training Center, with his last competitive appearance coming at the 2024 Olympic Team Trials.

Former Oklahoma coach John Smith believed that Jordan Williams was making progress on the competitive stage

Three-time state champion Jordan Williams was the first commit in the class of 2022 for Oklahoma State. The Tulsa native concluded his first full college season with a 17-9 record and was an inch away from earning the All-American status after his NCAA Wrestling Championships qualification.

His starting job win (149 pounds) as a redshirt freshman earlier this year (2023-2024) garnered praise from his former coach, John Smith. The latter shared that Willams was 'growing up' as a wrestler.

“I think more importantly, personally he’s growing. And that’s what has to happen first. He’s personally growing up, he seems to understand what’s at stake," Smith said. (via Pistols Firing)

Williams was ready to start for the Oklahoma Cowboys in the 2024-2025 season as well but will compete for the Little Rock Trojans from now on.