NFL
By: William Carroll
I first began seeing Wesley College football when WR Ellis Krout transferred there from Oregon. The very competitive Division III program has a very fine QB Joe Callahan, while studying the promising signal-caller I kept noticing a very tough and active Strong Safety. James “Juice” Williamson flashed the ability to track the ball, like the receiver he had previously been. despite having been a receiver he was unafraid of contact and he has Division I athletic ability. If you want to see a Division III safety who can play in the NFL I highly recommend watching James “Juice” Williamson.
- I have had the pleasure of watching your career from your time at West Virginia Wesleyan, Cal U of PA. and Wesley College. What would you say are the 5 biggest and best lessons you’ve learned on your journey?
James Williamson: [The]Importance of Character, Leadership, Respond[sibility] but never react to adversity, Perseverance and most of all the tools of being a man
- The next question, you played for Joe Holland at New Town High School, what was that program like and what kind of coach was he?
James Williamson: New town is a small public school in Baltimore with a lot of skill athletes year in, [and] year out, but not a powerhouse in football, we [were] more of a basketball school. He was a great coach, [he] thought us how to play tough and never give up.
- Who were your major rivals?
James Williamson:: In high school, I’d say Franklin high school personally for me.
4. Your home area is loaded with talent Tavon Austin and Terrance West to name a few who are some of the best players you played with or against while you were in high school or growing up?
James Williamson: Played with a lot of good talent growing up but some stopped chasing the dream, but played for the same little league as Tavon Austin just a younger age group. [I]Played against Tampa Bay tackle Donovan Smith in high school.
- What was your recruitment process like, who was interested and how did you choose your school?
James Williamson: [The] recruitment process was tough, but fun with the visits and a great experience. I had few 1-A, mainly 1-AA [FCS] but I wasn’t a qualifier and I ended up signing to a D2 West Virginia Wesleyan.
- What was the best game and the biggest play you made as a high school player?
James Williamson: Our season was on the line and it was my senior year, playing against a 6-0 team, I had the only touchdown of the game with a diving catch and rushed [for] 150+ yards.
- What was you big “Welcome to College Football” Moment?
James Williamson: I was a slot my true freshman year, I had a chance to run with the ones early in camp. The pace was fast, no huddle so it was overwhelming. But I remember catching a pass, did a move and after that got punished. Didn’t hurt but was an eye-opener that college was real.
- What is your current height/weight and what are your testing numbers?
James Williamson: I got measured at 5’11 7/8” so basically 6 feet (ha-ha) I weigh 189. At the BSN combine I ran a 4.48 laser, Vertical Jumped a 36”, 4.3 Short Shuttle, [I] don’t remember exactly my 3-Cone, but it was sub 7 seconds.
- How have the systems and staffs at your school impacted your development?
James Williamson: I’ve been in multiple systems so I have experience different schemes and I think that helped me understand defense better and read keys better
10. Which coaches have had the greatest impact on you and why?
James Williamson: Coach Brock former Auburn Tiger and Atlanta Falcon, was my first DB coach in college, he helped me through the position change and coach style was legit. My last head coach, Coach Drass he gave me a second chance and helped me when I needed it.
11. How hard was to adjust to the verbiage, system and play-book and when did you feel 100% comfortable?
James Williamson: Going to different schools it’s not easy adapting at first, but the time and effort you spend with your coaches and film on your own helps you grasp the concepts better.
12. Who have been your favorite teammates, and why?
James Williamson: I don’t have favorites, but I will always love my defensive line, they don’t get enough credit as they should. They fight pressure and put pressure on the QB which makes everything easier for us in the secondary.
13. Who have been your favorite opponents and why?
James Williamson: Shepherd University, that’s a great program and I always had fun playing against them regardless of the circumstances.
14. If you could put together a list of your favorite players to watch or emulate, who is on that list and why?
James Williamson: Ed Reed Rod Woodson Charles Woodson Earl Thomas Eric Berry Tyrann Mathieu. I just love[d] their game growing up as a kid and watching some of them play in person.
- What NFL teams are your favorites and why?
James Williamson: Any team that picks me up is my favorite lol…but Growing up always was a Ravens and Cowboys fan.
16. Which NFL players do you think your game most closely resembles and why?
James Williamson: I’ve been told Eric Berry and Earl Thomas from people I played with, Tyrann [Mathieu] sometimes because of my blitzing.
- When football is over what would you like to do with your education?
James Williamson: I would like to work for a sports company, then branch off into my own business. [I] Want to be an entrepreneur or sport agent.
- Finally, if you could go back in time to talk to 17 year-old you, what would you tell him?
James Williamson: Take your SATs serious[ly], play DB and teach him knowledge that I know now about football.
- And what would you do differently if you could do it all over again?
James Williamson: Honestly I don’t know, I feel like I wouldn’t have learned the life lessons I did if I went and did things differently. Not the path I imagine but it’s definitely a good one I’m on.
- What [if any] is/are your nickname[s] and how did you get it/them?
James Williamson: Juice is the nickname everybody knows. I got Juice because when I was younger my Pop Warner coach gave me #32 back then numbers were everything. I didn’t like my number and fussed about it, but he told me great running backs wore #32 and one of them was OJ “The Juice” Simpson. That’s the only similarity we have ha-ha.
