JW #52

James Williams Sr.

Linebacker · Miami

A converted Miami safety who moved to linebacker as a seventh-round rookie and quickly carved out a role in the Titans' front seven.

James Williams Sr. spent his college career roaming the secondary for Miami, but the Titans saw a linebacker in the 6-foot-4 defender and made the position switch after drafting him in the seventh round. The move paid off quickly, with Williams working his way into regular playing time as a rookie.

★ 162 career tackles and four interceptions at Miami

★ Selected in the 2024 NFL Draft after making a position switch from safety to linebacker

Path to the league

Williams played three seasons at Miami as a safety, starting regularly by his sophomore year. The Titans drafted him in the seventh round (242nd overall) of the 2024 NFL Draft and moved him to linebacker for his professional debut.

Career highlights

At Miami, Williams appeared in 33 games and totaled 162 tackles with four interceptions, highlighted by a 58-tackle sophomore season in 2022. He also worked at linebacker during Senior Bowl practices after adding weight to his frame, foreshadowing the position change he'd make as a pro.

2025 season recap

Williams built on a rookie season in which he appeared in 13 games and recorded 26 tackles and a fumble recovery for the Titans, continuing to compete for snaps in Tennessee's linebacker rotation as he adjusts to his new position at the NFL level.