Packers add troubled linebacker ... or maybe not
The Packers have agreed to sign troubled and well-traveled linebacker Willie Williams, according to his school.
Union College (Ky.) sports information director Jay Stancil confirmed the signing in an e-mail.
UPDATE: Stancil just e-mailed again to say the Packers contacted him and have decided not to bring in Williams after all. So ... hold the phone.
The nation's top prospect coming out of high school five years ago, Williams (6-foot-4, 220 pounds) ended up the ultimate college journeyman, spending time at the University of Miami, West Los Angeles Community College, Louisville, Glenville State and finally NAIA Union College.
The journey coincided with well-documented problems off the field, including 11 arrests in high school; a recruiting visit to Florida that ended in being questioned by police; a transfer from Miami after he failed to earn a starting job; and an arrest for marijuana possession that ended his career at Louisville after only three games.
The Packers reportedly traveled to Union to watch Williams practice and also attended his pro-day workout at Eastern Kentucky. He was not drafted.
He set a single-season school record for tackles last season with 144 and was named first-team all-conference.
-- Tom Pelissero, tpelisse@greenbaypressgazette.com