Many have the athleticism that is gifted and built over time. Fewer have the ability to lead. Safety James Williams is ready to step into a leadership role in his second season as a college football player for the Miami Hurricanes. Williams led the team in interceptions last season with two to go along with 20 tackles and two passes defended in just nine games.
“This year is going to be the year that Miami is back.”
Safety James Williams @Begreat_20 by his account is taking more of a leadership role for the @CanesFootball program. pic.twitter.com/KQREgDqEzG
— Marcus Benjamin (@_BenjaminReport) March 11, 2022
“I came in last year as a young guy,” said Williams post-spring practice Friday. “I come back in spring and I’m the top dog, I run the pack, lead the defense, I make calls, I make adjustments, it’s just been an eye-opener for me.”
Playing with emotion on the football field is lauded by most, except when it costs your football team. There were moments last season where perhaps James’s emotions got the best of him causing penalties against Miami. Williams has seemed to address this and is working to eliminate those issues going forward.
“Last year, I was so eager to get out there and I was causing penalties that hurt my team,” Williams said. “I had to learn that my time is going to come. My time did come and I performed.”
Williams is a lengthy defensive back at 6’ 5” and 218 pounds out of American Heritage (Plantation, FL) with tremendous ball skills and the eagerness to deliver big hits in the secondary and at the line of scrimmage. James was paired with another Williams at safety in Avantae Willams (Deland, FL). Both were highly touted and rated five-star players coming out of high school. James is projecting to be a first round NFL draft pick by some NFL scouts.
“He communicates well on the field quarterbacking it,” said defensive coordinator Kevin Steele of James. “He’s been very good there in that regard.”
The first-team defensive backfield in spring practice had DJ Ivey (South Dade, Homestead, FL) and Te’Corey Couch (Chaminade-Madonna, Hollywood, FL) at the cornerback positions along with Williams and Williams. Al Blades Jr. (St. Thomas Aquinas, Fort Lauderdale, FL) is inserted as the nickel cornerback at times. The fifth-year redshirt junior is returning from ankle surgery and will be competing for playing time.
“It’s a blessing to be back on the field,” said Blades Jr. “I played nickel my freshman year, it’s the same thing. It’s just a matter of getting my feet wet. I make big leaps from day to day thanks to Coach Addai and Coach Steele.”
Coach Joseph Addai, recently hired by Miami, leads the position group fresh from a national championship with the Georgia Bulldogs.
“Coach Addai’s a real one. You get the impression that he is here to work.,” said Blades Jr. “You get the impression that he’s here to build relationships, here to build character, here to build technique and we all have the same goals. You can appreciate a man who is about his work.”
The three have 8 career interceptions with Blades Jr. tallying four career interceptions, Ivey with three, and Couch with one.
Kamren Kinchens (Miami Northwestern, FL) and Tyrique Stevenson (Miami Southridge, FL) are out this spring as both saw significant playing time last season. Stevenson had a solid year with 43 tackles, 2.5 tackles for loss a half-sack and interception, and four pass break-ups. Kinchens added 44 tackles a tackle for loss, four pass break-ups and a forced fumble as a true freshman.
“When we go into that meeting room, they are sitting there bright-eyed asking questions eager to learn,” said Coach Steele. “And then when we come to the field to our walk-thru stuff, they’re communicating, they are eager to be coached and be corrected. Then when we go against the offense, it’s the same thing, and so it’s a work ethic…they bought into that. We’ve got a long way to go, but if they keep working the way they’re working, we’ll get there.”
Miami has a week off for spring break before returning for spring practice the following week.
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