NFL News NFL News, Reports and Updates
James Williams’s relationship with Florida State football coaches Tony White and Terrance Knighton goes far beyond what happens on the field.
The Nebraska transfer followed his coaches from Lincoln to Tallahassee, joining the Seminoles program. Williams had a challenging journey from high school to Divison 1 standout, being under-recruited, and starting his collegiate career at Iowa Central Community College.
Williams overcame personal struggles to rise to one of college football’s most impactful defensive players. And he credits his coaches, specifically Knighton, for helping him overcome those challenges along the way.
“I see him as a father figure, and even closer to a father,” Williams said about his relationship with Knighton.
“He’s seen me go through a lot and a lot of different adversity. The fact that he stood by me through so much going on in his personal life and lots of different stuff that he’s going through, he incorporates me in all of that. It just means the most to me.”
“Not just coach Knighton, I have a really great relationship with Coach White as well. I feel like since the moment I met him he’s really believed in me.”
The redshirt junior was dubbed “sack-man” by Knighton and he’s been instrumental in helping Williams become one of the most impactful defensive edges in the nation. He recorded 18 tackles and seven sacks at Nebraska while staring in White’s unique 3-3-5 scheme.
His ability to get pressure into the backfield has become a trademark. Williams recorded 31 pressures for the Cornhuskers last season, including 14 quarterback hurries according to Pro Football Focus (PFF).
That was something that Knighton saw in him during a post-grad tryout, which landed him a spot on Nebraksa’s roster and eventually led to his transfer to FSU.
“A lot of that is his [Knighton] belief in me, he and Coach White,…
Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/fsu-footballs-james-williams-opens-131845122.html
Author : Tallahassee Democrat
Publish date : 2025-01-31 13:18:00
Copyright for syndicated content belongs to the linked Source.
