Sam Williams‑Dixon, a former Ohio State football player who entered the transfer portal after his freshman season, was taken into custody in Richland County, South Carolina, on a series of charges that include breaking into motor vehicles and grand larceny.
According to the local sheriff’s office, he was booked on seven criminal counts and held at the Richland County jail before being released on a $150,000 bond; his brother, Elijah Williams‑Dixon, was arrested on the same set of allegations.
Legal Proceedings and Team Response
The arrest has triggered an immediate suspension from the South Carolina football team, a move confirmed by the university’s athletic department shortly after the incident.
Williams‑Dixon’s college career has been marked by limited playing time; he appeared in five games for Ohio State in 2023, rushing 10 times for 62 yards and one touchdown, and spent two seasons with the Buckeyes after arriving as a three‑star recruit in the class of 2024.
Despite returning to Ohio State after a brief stint in the portal, he never secured a consistent role in the rotation and, after transferring to South Carolina, has yet to earn a significant snap count, leaving his future on the field uncertain.
The former player is scheduled to appear in court on August 28, where the charges will be formally addressed; meanwhile, the university has emphasized that the suspension is pending the outcome of the legal process.
The incident has also drawn attention from local media outlets, including The Post and Courier and The Greenville News, which have reported on the case and its potential implications for both the athlete and the university’s athletic program.