Williams was arrested by Beavercreek police for allegedly shoplifting three shirts valued at $80 from the Macy's department store in the Mall at Fairfield Commons in suburban Dayton.

"I took the blame for somebody, I didn't do anything," Williams said tonight.

He said he was with a friend, and as they were walking out of the store, the alarm went off. His friend told him he had the three shirts, and Williams agreed to take the shirts -- and the blame.

"If he got in trouble for this, he would be in jail," Williams said, explaining that his friend had been in legal trouble previously. "So I took his back."

Williams was booked and released. He faces an arraignment hearing Tuesday in Fairborn Municipal Court. The charge is a first-degree misdemeanor, punishable by up to six months in jail and a $1,000 fine.

An OSU athletics spokesperson had no comment tonight, and football coach Jim Tressel did not return a message.

Williams said he had not yet told coaches or even his family about the incident.

"I didn't expect any of this," he said. "I thought I'd just get a ticket and pay a fine. I'm at a loss for words."

OSU is preparing to face Texas in the Fiesta Bowl on Jan. 5. If Williams is suspended, it would be a significant loss for the Buckeyes. The Washington Court House native worked his way into the rotation by midway through the season. In eight games, he recorded 17 tackles and two sacks.

The Buckeyes had Monday through Wednesday off so players could take final exams. They returned to the practice field today.

Williams is the third OSU football player to be arrested this year.

On July 4, defensive back Eugene Clifford was charged with misdemeanor assault after a bar fight in Cincinnati. He was released from his scholarship, and he transferred to Tennessee State.

On July 26, defensive tackle Doug Worthington was charged with DUI on campus. His case is pending.

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