Who says you can't go back home? James Williams might want to try it even though he might not be welcomed back with open arms.
Williams, a former three-star prospect from the Kansas City suburbs, left Nebraska a year ago in search of a greater role at Florida State. He was following former Cornhuskers defensive coordinator Tony White to Tallahassee and his familiarity with White's 3-3-5 scheme and past production as a rotational pass rusher got him on the field immediately at Tallahassee.
But it didn't work at all and now Williams is back on the move and ranked No. 9 among available edge rushers in the transfer portal.
NEW: Florida State DL James Williams plans to enter the transfer portal, @Hayesfawcett3 reports
— Transfer Portal (@TransferPortal) December 26, 2025
The former Nebraska transfer totaled 19 tackles and 1.5 sacks this season.https://t.co/r1HjbaDNbC pic.twitter.com/Qb4fKH9S59
Williams did some good things for the Huskers
Yeah, I know Williams didn't exactly endear himself to Husker nation on the way out of Lincoln, but it's easier to remember the good times and the good things that Williams did. For starters, Williams could get to the quarterback. In 18 games with the Huskers, he had seven sacks and in a role where he can be a designated pass rusher, Williams has value.
Is that enough to sell Matt Rhule on a reunion? Probably not, but pass rushers are a premium position in college and one that has experience and past production should be considered.
His time in Tallahassee was a disaster
Williams was a high-priced acquisition for the Seminoles. It was the type of financial package that a pass rusher expected to play at an all-conference level would get. Williams, however, was long on promises and short on delivery. With the added snaps, Williams struggled in a starting role and didn't play the run or set the edge well enough to be a three-down lineman.
The pass rush wasn't there either. Williams struggled physically and when he did get up the field, he usually overran the play and looked lost. Whether FSU wanted him back or not depends on who you ask, but he was going to have to take a much cheaper financial package and one that he ultimately didn't accept.
Was it as simple as being in the wrong place at the wrong time or was Williams' limited skill set exposed when asked to take on a greater role? Who knows, but Matt Rhule and staff know what type of player and person he is and if they think Williams can help them in 2026, they should reach out.