How did James Williams slip through the cracks?

[HUSKERBILL]

James Williams - Football 2024

James Williams - Football 2024

huskers.com

I always thought of him as a “late bloomer” and kid who was maybe “decent” in high school but is now emerging in college.

So I checked his stats.

He was First Team All State in Missouri. Senior year he had over 100 tackles, 35 TFLs and 18 Sacks. Those are insane numbers.

So he goes to Iowa Central CC and starts for them and gets 6 sacks, 2 forced fumbles, 2 fumble recoveries and 7 TFLs in 11 games as a freshman. He’s the MVP of their bowl game.

College recruiters LOVE length. Pair that with the production numbers he has had at every stop.

How the heck did he slip through the cracks and show up at a summer tryout in Lincoln? Kids like this don’t slip through the cracks anymore.

 

[SickOfPractice]

His is an interesting story. It's certainly obvious he loves the team and his teammates love him.

 

[Big bo fan]

James Williams - Football 2024

James Williams - Football 2024

huskers.com

I always thought of him as a “late bloomer” and kid who was maybe “decent” in high school but is now emerging in college.

So I checked his stats.

He was First Team All State in Missouri. Senior year he had over 100 tackles, 35 TFLs and 18 Sacks. Those are insane numbers.

So he goes to Iowa Central CC and starts for them and gets 6 sacks, 2 forced fumbles, 2 fumble recoveries and 7 TFLs in 11 games as a freshman. He’s the MVP of their bowl game.

College recruiters LOVE length. Pair that with the production numbers he has had at every stop.

How the heck did he slip through the cracks and show up at a summer tryout in Lincoln? Kids like this don’t slip through the cracks anymore.

When you look at kids you have to look at the whole picture and not just on the field. Kid had a family issue grade issue ( JC route ) some schools never circle back in recruiting. Kids have and always will slip through the cracks.

 

[mgbreis]

My son went to HS with a guy who had multiple low-D1 offers, he decided to go to IWCC to try to prove himself and get to a P5 school. He was on track to get it done before multiple shoulder surgeries. IWCC is legit. Maybe he had bad academics, like really bad?

 

[BTF69]

My son went to HS with a guy who had multiple low-D1 offers, he decided to go to IWCC to try to prove himself and get to a P5 school. He was on track to get it done before multiple shoulder surgeries. IWCC is legit. Maybe he had bad academics, like really bad?

Probably grades and if he didn't take the ACT/SAT schools could not even host him I don't think, maybe that changed after covid.

 

[nostromo78]

No clue, but did he lose his dad in the last couple years? No mom listed on his bio either. Mentions TN and his girlfriend being all he has left. That stuff makes football, and LIFE very hard to deal with. kudos to him for getting it on track

 

[drubendall]

No clue, but did he lose his dad in the last couple years? No mom listed on his bio either. Mentions TN and his girlfriend being all he has left. That stuff makes football, and LIFE very hard to deal with. kudos to him for getting it on track

Yeah, the structure and routine of football provides sort of a surrogate family structure. It’s everything. The camaraderie and sense of belonging are powerful. For a lot of guys, this was the best part of their lives.

 

[inWV]

That kid was in HS school during Covid and apparently has a far less than stellar family situation. A lot of kids who weren't strong on academics to begin with took a beating wrt academic marks.

 

[HuskerDrew]

this kid has a great story. Love to see it

 

[dinglefritz]

That kid was in HS school during Covid and apparently has a far less than stellar family situation. A lot of kids who weren't strong on academics to begin with took a beating wrt academic marks.

It might be incorrect to assume that he had academic issues that caused him to go to a JC. I said at the time that COVID was going to cause a LOT of very talented guys to end up at lower tier programs. Just the lack of camps and travel restrictions really hurt the ability to evaluate talent. He’s on track to make a lot of money playing on Sundays.

No idea what size of a high school he played at but that could affect his offers.

 

[mgbreis]

It might be incorrect to assume that he had academic issues that caused him to go to a JC. I said at the time that COVID was going to cause a LOT of very talented guys to end up at lower tier programs. Just the lack of camps and travel restrictions really hurt the ability to evaluate talent. He’s on track to make a lot of money playing on Sundays.

No idea what size of a high school he played at but that could affect his offers.

The first thing that Rhule said about him when asked postgame was "he's doing great in school" or something, kinda led me to wonder about that. Regardless, it's a great story.

 

[dinglefritz]

The first thing that Rhule said about him when asked postgame was "he's doing great in school" or something, kinda led me to wonder about that. Regardless, it's a great story.

I’m just happy for the guy. Some of us didn’t exactly fulfill our potential in high school. If it wasn’t for a social promotion from an English teacher I probably should have been required to repeat my freshman year. No way did she want me in her class again😊

 

[HBK4life]

 

[GaRed]

All I know is he is a underdog at this point. He had to overcome and work harder than the next guy to get where is now ...with little to no support . Hearing him speak about his situation and the love of his coach get me seeing through watery eyes. I'm a big fan of his and he's one of the many reasons I love the game.

 

[king_kong_]

Glad he did

Has looked the part from the first snap he played

 

[Huskers123456]

It might be incorrect to assume that he had academic issues that caused him to go to a JC. I said at the time that COVID was going to cause a LOT of very talented guys to end up at lower tier programs. Just the lack of camps and travel restrictions really hurt the ability to evaluate talent. He’s on track to make a lot of money playing on Sundays.

No idea what size of a high school he played at but that could affect his offers.

The only article I can find on his situation talks about grades being a reason he ended up at CC.

 

[Huskers123456]

Glad he did

Has looked the part from the first snap he played

Kind of like we talked about natural cover corners vs. an athlete playing CB in the other thread. My opinion is some people have a natural ability to get to the qb. Williams is one of those people.

 

[BTF69]

Kind of like we talked about natural cover corners vs. an athlete playing CB in the other thread. My opinion is some people have a natural ability to get to the qb. Williams is one of those people.

This is true...pass rushers are not made...if they were, every team would be loaded with them. Some guys just have a feel of how to get to the QB.

 

[Huskers123456]

Had a segment on him on 1620. Said Knighton got ahold of his tape and invited him to the tryout. Worked him out, he did awesome. Knighton went and got Rhule. Rhule had him run drills. He ran a 3 cone at what Rhule knew was a high 1st round pass rusher time. Rhule sat him down and said what will it take for you to stay in Lincoln.

 

[TruHusker]

Why is there always an assumption that if a kid goes the CC route they have grade issues?

I have known dozens of great kids who were outstanding HS football players with great stats, were good students but were just a bit slow or undersized. A coach I hired as a HS coach had two sons that were both very good athletes and had tremendous stats and great grades along with being excellent kids. Both were All State players and were evaluated by recruiting people an SEC school. Little things like lateral quickness or a half step slow or just not as strong can keep these kids out of D1.

Had neighbor kid that we watched grow up and went to our church so I watched him grow up. He was a tweeter and went the CC route at Butler County and ended up at Arizona but couldn’t stand stoops.

In KS, a large group of kids in between go to the KCAC schools. Remember Steve Tasker? Played at Leoti HS in southwest KS, great kid, hard worker but went CC and ended up in the Pros. I can come up several kids I knew.

Just don’t assume they don’t have the grades and that is the only reason they went CC. There are some but not as many as are being portrayed.

 

[HuskersNC]

No clue, but did he lose his dad in the last couple years? No mom listed on his bio either. Mentions TN and his girlfriend being all he has left. That stuff makes football, and LIFE very hard to deal with. kudos to him for getting it on track

Last year's media guide listed his mom, but not his dad. As far as I can tell, neither of them are dead. Seeing his mom's name made it easy to find social media, zero clues there. People gonna have to wait and see if James himself ever explains what's been going on.

 

[Huskers123456]

Why is there always an assumption that if a kid goes the CC route they have grade issues?

I have known dozens of great kids who were outstanding HS football players with great stats, were good students but were just a bit slow or undersized. A coach I hired as a HS coach had two sons that were both very good athletes and had tremendous stats and great grades along with being excellent kids. Both were All State players and were evaluated by recruiting people an SEC school. Little things like lateral quickness or a half step slow or just not as strong can keep these kids out of D1.

Had neighbor kid that we watched grow up and went to our church so I watched him grow up. He was a tweeter and went the CC route at Butler County and ended up at Arizona but couldn’t stand stoops.

In KS, a large group of kids in between go to the KCAC schools. Remember Steve Tasker? Played at Leoti HS in southwest KS, great kid, hard worker but went CC and ended up in the Pros. I can come up several kids I knew.

Just don’t assume they don’t have the grades and that is the only reason they went CC. There are some but not as many as are being portrayed.

I'm not assuming. An article said that was why.

 

[Huskers123456]

Last year's media guide listed his mom, but not his dad. As far as I can tell, neither of them are dead. Seeing his mom's name made it easy to find social media, zero clues there. People gonna have to wait and see if James himself ever explains what's been going on.

Sounds like it's no secret but the media is waiting for him to tell it. They were hinting at it on Sharp and Handley.

 

[Big bo fan]

Why is there always an assumption that if a kid goes the CC route they have grade issues?

I have known dozens of great kids who were outstanding HS football players with great stats, were good students but were just a bit slow or undersized. A coach I hired as a HS coach had two sons that were both very good athletes and had tremendous stats and great grades along with being excellent kids. Both were All State players and were evaluated by recruiting people an SEC school. Little things like lateral quickness or a half step slow or just not as strong can keep these kids out of D1.

Had neighbor kid that we watched grow up and went to our church so I watched him grow up. He was a tweeter and went the CC route at Butler County and ended up at Arizona but couldn’t stand stoops.

In KS, a large group of kids in between go to the KCAC schools. Remember Steve Tasker? Played at Leoti HS in southwest KS, great kid, hard worker but went CC and ended up in the Pros. I can come up several kids I knew.

Just don’t assume they don’t have the grades and that is the only reason they went CC. There are some but not as many as are being portrayed.

One of Rhules first response about this kid in his presser was he was doing great in school. When a coach mentions school work about a kid .It means the kid came with Academic questions or issues.

 

[dinglefritz]

Sounds like it's no secret but the media is waiting for him to tell it. They were hinting at it on Sharp and Handley.

lots of kids f around too much in high school and college for that matter. My neighbor though was a really good baseball player and near the top of his high school class back in about 1997, He didn't like his college scholarship offers so he went to a JUCO in I think Oklahoma to try to snag a better scholarship. It didn't turn in to a major college scholarship but he ended up playing a couple of years at I think a Sun Belt school. Josh Heupel took the same path from Aberdeen SD to Oklahoma through I think Snow JC.

 

[Huskers123456]

lots of kids f around too much in high school and college for that matter. My neighbor though was a really good baseball player and near the top of his high school class back in about 1997, He didn't like his college scholarship offers so he went to a JUCO in I think Oklahoma to try to snag a better scholarship. It didn't turn in to a major college scholarship but he ended up playing a couple of years at I think a Sun Belt school. Josh Heupel took the same path from Aberdeen SD to Oklahoma through I think Snow JC.

They weren't talking about grades. They were talking about his family situation. And they kept saying how amazing his story is so I wonder what it really is. Plenty of players grow up without a dad so it must be something other than that.

 

[dinglefritz]

They weren't talking about grades. They were talking about his family situation. And they kept saying how amazing his story is so I wonder what it really is. Plenty of players grow up without a dad so it must be something other than that.

I'm sure glad I wasn't subjected to the anal inspection in my college years that we give our football team.... I shoulda been in jail probably more than once...

 

[HominidHusker]

While we may be curious, I’m totally fine if he wants to keep his personal story to himself.
Just happy he’s found a home on our team and having a coming out party.

 

[BTF69]

Why is there always an assumption that if a kid goes the CC route they have grade issues?

I have known dozens of great kids who were outstanding HS football players with great stats, were good students but were just a bit slow or undersized. A coach I hired as a HS coach had two sons that were both very good athletes and had tremendous stats and great grades along with being excellent kids. Both were All State players and were evaluated by recruiting people an SEC school. Little things like lateral quickness or a half step slow or just not as strong can keep these kids out of D1.

Had neighbor kid that we watched grow up and went to our church so I watched him grow up. He was a tweeter and went the CC route at Butler County and ended up at Arizona but couldn’t stand stoops.

In KS, a large group of kids in between go to the KCAC schools. Remember Steve Tasker? Played at Leoti HS in southwest KS, great kid, hard worker but went CC and ended up in the Pros. I can come up several kids I knew.

Just don’t assume they don’t have the grades and that is the only reason they went CC. There are some but not as many as are being portrayed.

I get it but 99% of the kids that go JC are going JC because of their grades. Doesn't mean they are dumb, it probably means they just ****ed up 9th grade.

 

[bama_husker]

FWIW, in the past it seemed like the kids that had academic issues had to get an associate's degree and were in JUCO for two or more years. The ones who were trying to get better offers often left before graduating and brought more eligibility with them.

 

[HBK4life]

I know he went from 235 to 250 in the off-season. He still looks lean. If he can carry another 15 to 20 lbs and keep his quickness he'll be even better and harder to block.

 

[SeaOfRed75]

I get it but 99% of the kids that go JC are going JC because of their grades. Doesn't mean they are dumb, it probably means they just ****ed up 9th grade.

Yeah, but some are just straight up dumb.

Don't get why some people get so touchy about it. Are there smart people? Yep. Have to be some dummies then.

 

[TruHusker]

I get it but 99% of the kids that go JC are going JC because of their grades. Doesn't mean they are dumb, it probably means they just ****ed up 9th grade.

Evidence? I just have not seen it to be true but my experience is in Kansas with kids going to the Jayhawks conference schools and KCAC schools.

 

[Cedric]

FFIW, in the past it seemed like the kids that had academic issues had to get an associate's degree and were in JUCO for two or more years. The ones who were trying to get better offers often left before graduating and brought more eligibility with them.

Those rules have changed. In the past, if you fell into the "nonqualifier" category, you had to get your AA degree to transfer with immediate eligibility. Those categories no longer exist and initial eligibility is determined on a sliding scale

 

[BTF69]

Yeah, but some are just straight up dumb.

Don't get why some people get so touchy about it. Are there smart people? Yep. Have to be some dummies then.

Oh for sure! Or they didn't do shit in HS. Or skipped school all the time.

I have had a lot of really good players that were idiots when it came to their classes.

 

[Hford]

James Williams - Football 2024

James Williams - Football 2024

huskers.com

I always thought of him as a “late bloomer” and kid who was maybe “decent” in high school but is now emerging in college.

So I checked his stats.

He was First Team All State in Missouri. Senior year he had over 100 tackles, 35 TFLs and 18 Sacks. Those are insane numbers.

So he goes to Iowa Central CC and starts for them and gets 6 sacks, 2 forced fumbles, 2 fumble recoveries and 7 TFLs in 11 games as a freshman. He’s the MVP of their bowl game.

College recruiters LOVE length. Pair that with the production numbers he has had at every stop.

How the heck did he slip through the cracks and show up at a summer tryout in Lincoln? Kids like this don’t slip through the cracks anymore.

Late bloomer it looks like to me. Some guys are grown men at 17/18 and he wasn't. He still isn't, I think there is more out there for him.

 

[Huskers123456]

Late bloomer it looks like to me. Some guys are grown men at 17/18 and he wasn't. He still isn't, I think there is more out there for him.

Based on his stats and measurables I don't think you could call him a late bloomer. I think it was a grades issue. Nothing wrong with that.

 

[Hford]

Based on his stats and measurables I don't think you could call him a late bloomer. I think it was a grades issue. Nothing wrong with that.

If it was a grade issue he would have had to graduate from CC. Meaning 2 years. Unless I'm missing something Nebraska took him after 1 year then redshirted him.

 

[Huskers123456]

If it was a grade issue he would have had to graduate from CC. Meaning 2 years. Unless I'm missing something Nebraska took him after 1 year then redshirted him.

Is that even a thing anymore? The graduate before moving on? He's 6'6 a year and a half from graduating high school. I doubt size was an issue. He was conference defender of the year and was a nominee for best defensive player in Missouri. What other reason would you think he's in podunk Iowa for? Normally a guy like that would be at NDSU or another FCS school if it was a developmental or size issue.

 

[nostromo78]

Last year's media guide listed his mom, but not his dad. As far as I can tell, neither of them are dead. Seeing his mom's name made it easy to find social media, zero clues there. People gonna have to wait and see if James himself ever explains what's been going on.

weird. This years lists only his dad. His and Rhules comments about him losing everyone close to him is odd. My guess is the next 'chasing 3' may have something featuring him. Very interested after seeing his emotion after the game last week. Easy to root for players like that.