A 5-time state champ on what makes Jamyest Williams special, what role he could fit

T.L. Hanna High School football coach Jeff Herron occupies a rather unusual position.

This season he is coaching Zacch Pickens, the crown jewel of South Carolina’s football recruiting class. That’s a title someone has every year, but Herron also did that two years ago, at another school, in another state.

Herron, now in his second year with the Yellow Jackets, spent only one season at Grayson High School near Atlanta. That coincided with the only year Jamyest Williams, a former four-start recruit and second-year Gamecock, played at the school. Those Rams went 14-1 and claimed a state title.

In one year, Herron learned a good bit about the smaller defensive back who broke into USC’s lineup as a freshman.

“Jamyest is another great kid,” Herron said. “He’s one of the hardest working practice kids I’ve ever been around. He just killed himself in practice. Most kids with that much talent don’t do that. So I felt like he would be successful.”

Last season, Williams made 38 tackles, four for loss, and snagged a pair of interceptions.

He primarily played slot corner last season, but the staff has tried moved him toward playing more safety this offseason. He has been in a battle with Nick Harvey and other players for the spot beside Steven Montac.

And Herron thinks Williams could end up contributing at a few different spots.

“I felt like he might contribute more on special teams and offense,” Herron said. “It’s tough for someone his size to play corner in the SEC. I don’t care who you are. It’s just hard to do. So him moving to safety or moving to offense, I think, will be good for him and them.”

This story was originally published August 27, 2018 at 10:21 AM.