Ohio State's NFL-candidate running back ran until he couldn't run last season.

INDIANAPOLIS — Ohio State football's Miyan Williams ran the ball until his body couldn't run anymore.

The 5-9, 216-pound back, nicknamed “Chop,” stood tall during an interview at the NFL Combine on Friday. However, he is not expected to participate in training and may not be fully cleared until training camp. He still suffers from the illness that ended his Buckeye career.

Williams revealed that he had been suffering from osteochondritis dissecans, a joint disease in his right knee, since 2017. Eventually, he was literally in pain and unable to play. He finished his season last October.

“I literally played until I couldn't play anymore,” Williams said. “My knee was stiff and I couldn't run anymore. So I went to see the doctor and he said, 'It's time.'

Williams underwent surgery to replace cartilage in his knee on January 2, but had the brace removed about three weeks ago. Doctors said he is healing faster than expected. He attended the combine to meet with the team and, of course, underwent the customary medical exam.

Williams faces an uphill battle to be selected in one of the seven rounds of April's draft, especially since there are so many questions about his health. His invitation to training camp will likely come as an undrafted free agent.

Despite this, Williams said he is not considering returning to OSU for a fifth season or transferring to finish his career elsewhere.

“I felt like I had just graduated from college,” Williams said. “My four years at Ohio State were great. I just felt like it was time.”

Williams missed eight regular season games over his final two years due to various injuries. But he also enjoyed some great moments. In 2022, his 6.45 yards per carry and 14 touchdowns ranked third among Big Ten running backs.

Now that his knee is healing, he hopes to be able to translate his physical style to an NFL roster.