Since coming to Miami as a five-star safety, James Williams and the new staff have been adamant about classifying Williams as a defensive back. His length, range & football acumen makes him a high-level safety for Miami. Since playing a role similar to the ‘star’ position at American Heritage Plantation in his senior year, the intrigue of Williams getting closer to the line scrimmage has only grown.

Through two games, we have seen Williams play a more versatile role and mimic a pseudo-Jabrill Peppers-type impact by playing anywhere from safety to linebacker, to covering the slot. In spot linebacker duty, he has forced two turnovers in two games. A savvy interception against Bethune-Cookman & a rock-you-back force fumble against Southern Miss.

Putting Williams closer to the line of scrimmage opens up the defensive scheme and personnel options. Five-star safety Avantae Williams could gain additional reps by moving James. The three to four safety defense puts the best athletes on the field while still having bodies capable of playing the run like James & defensive back Gilbert Frierson.

With question marks regarding the talent and athleticism of the linebackers currently in the program and the need to get reps for Al Blades Jr. and Avantae, Miami needs to ramp up the James Williams to linebacker experiment even more against a potentially explosive offense in Texas A&M.