Freshman running back Brandon Williams, the gem of Oklahoma’s 2011 recruiting class, has been granted a release to transfer, coach Bob Stoops confirmed Monday.

Stoops said he didn’t know where Williams would transfer, but sources at OU have indicated Williams is likely to end up at Texas A&M, which is an hour drive away from his hometown of Brookshire, Texas.

Williams, who enrolled in the spring, was OU’s top-rated recruit according to ESPNU, which ranked him the No. 5 running back in the country. Because of fumbling issues in practice, Williams played sparingly at the beginning of season. But an injury to starter Dominique Whaley allowed Williams to become a bigger part of the offense late in the season. As a backup, Williams rushed for 116 yards in the Sooners’ final three games and averaged 5.5 yards per carry.

Williams suffered a neck injury in the season finale against Oklahoma State that required him to wear a brace, but he is expected to make a full recovery.

Williams is the third running back to leave OU this year alone. Earlier in the season, Jermie Calhoun and Jonathan Miller also were granted releases to transfer.

With Williams gone and Whaley still recovering from a fractured ankle, the Sooners will be down to just two running backs -- Roy Finch and Brennan Clay -- for the Dec. 30 Insight Bowl against Iowa.