How USC transfer Jamyest Williams went from DB to ‘complete’ tailback at Georgia State
Shawn Elliott never intended to take a transfer defensive back.
It’s not that Elliott is anti-transfer portal, though he’s more reticent than some of his coaching colleagues about college football’s new world of free agency. He’s certainly not one to turn down Power Five talent at a Georgia State program that had won 10 games total at the FBS level when he first took over in 2017.
But it took at least a little coaxing from former South Carolina defensive back Jamyest Williams for Elliott and his staff to take a chance on him.
“Jam calls me as I’m getting off a plane — I can’t remember where I was coming from and it’s during recruiting season — and he’s like, ‘I want to be a Georgia State,’ ” Elliott told The State. “I just got to thinking, here’s a local guy, he’s gonna bring good things.’ I had to do a little bit more investigating and then we brought him in. He’s been nothing but great.”
Williams, who signed with USC in the class of 2017 as a top 100 recruit, was seen as a steal for then-head coach Will Muschamp. But after two years as a Gamecock, he left Columbia, eventually landing with Elliott in Atlanta.
Now heading into his sixth and final year of eligibility, it’s a good bet the Panthers lean on Williams in the season opener at South Carolina on Saturday.
“Jam, especially, he knew what his role was early,” said Louisville tight ends coach Josh Stepp, who worked at Georgia State the last five years. “And then that role just continued to grow week in and week out.”
Making the position change
That Williams latched on at running back wasn’t immediate.
The Panthers hoped he’d stick at defensive back. But the explosiveness that made Williams a blue-chip prospect coming out of Grayson High School in Loganville, Georgia was too much to ignore.
“It took me about, I don’t know, a week or two or three weeks,” Elliott said, “And I was like, ‘You’re a running back. Why are we wasting time sitting over there playing corner? We’re gonna put the ball in your hands and we’re gonna let you go run.’ ”
There are advantages that come with transitioning from defense to offense. One has a larger conceptual understanding of what a given unit is trying to do to slow down ball movement. Throw in top-end athleticism and it’s, in theory, a recipe for success.
Williams wasn’t devoid of running back knowledge, having played it in spells as a high-schooler, but there was a learning curve.
Priority No. 1 was grasping the offensive playbook. The cuts, the timing and the footwork would all come with time. Getting a firm understanding of the minute details of Georgia State’s system was a different task in itself.
Stepp lauded Williams’ work studying concepts. There were miscues here and there on the field, but he never worried that wouldn’t resolve itself over time.
“He was swimming early from a playbook standpoint and learning the ins and outs of the position because he hadn’t done it in so long,” Stepp told The State. “But I’ll tell you what, that kid is an extremely hard worker. He was staying out at practice, getting extra reps, doing extra ball security (drills), wanting extra meetings. He’s one of those kids that’s very intrinsically motivated.”
Higher expectations in 2022
Williams’ career at Georgia State has been a slow burn. He transitioned from defensive back to running back his first fall in Atlanta — his player card on College Football Reference even lists him as a cornerback in 2020. Williams still finished his first season with the Panthers notching 253 yards on 47 carries in just seven games.
The 2021 campaign, though, served as a breakout.
Running in tandem with ex-walk-on Tucker Gregg, the pair created one of the Group of Five’s most formidable tailback duos. They combined for 1,812 yards and 18 touchdowns on 320 touches last year — good for a 5.7 yards per carry average.
The Panthers finished the season ranked sixth nationally in rushing yards per game among non-triple-option teams en route to a program record eight wins.
“He’s really developed, because when he first got here and first started playing running back for us, it was kinda, ‘Hey, let’s hand the speed sweep off to Jam,” Georgia State offensive coordinator Trent McKnight explained. “And now I feel like he’s developed himself into a complete running back.”
This fall brings its own set of expectations for Williams.
He and Gregg were both named to the Doak Walker Award Watch List, honoring the top running backs in the nation. With four starters back along the offensive line, it’s a good bet they rank among the Sun Belt’s top rushers again in 2022.
Three years after Williams had to pitch his way into an opportunity at Georgia State, he might well be the key to the Panthers’ second upset over an SEC team in four years.
“When you see him work, and the things he does in this facility and outside of the facility, those are the guys you want to see be on that (Watch) list,” Elliott said. “Because you know they put it all into it.”
Georgia State vs. USC
- Who: USC (0-0) vs. Georgia State (0-0)
- When: 7:30 p.m. Saturday
- Where: Williams-Brice Stadium in Columbia, SC
- Stream: SEC Network Plus and ESPN+
- Line: USC by 12
This story was originally published August 31, 2022 at 8:40 AM.
