Nebraska football's 'Sack Man' went through 'hell and back' for Husker stardom

On a day when Nebraska football legend Ndamukong Suh was in town to celebrate his induction into the Huskers’ Hall of Fame, one Blackshirt defensive lineman channeled the man who dominated football games week in and week out when he played for Bo Pelini. It wouldn’t be fair to say James Williams came out of literally nowhere, especially considering the job he did last week against Purdue, but his performance against Rutgers sure looked like his coming out party.

Williams racked up 5 tackles and 2 sacks against the Scarlet Knights in a game where the Cornhuskers badly needed the defense to step up. It was the second straight week where Williams, who redshirted in the middle of the 2023 season, recorded 2 sacks in a game. And after the game, he talked about his journey to NU stardom after just trying to get his position coach to notice him.

“I just have been through so much since I've been here," the Nebraska football team’s new star told the media after the game. "I've only been here since last July, very late June, and I've been through hell and back. I lost family, I lost so much. To be here today, in this moment, is not where I thought I would be.”

Williams added that he could have not seen what this season has been. And he credited the man known as Pork Chop, Terrance Knighton as having a big role in turning him into the sack master he’s become.

Nebraska football star credits defensive line coach for his success

“If you would have told me that a year ago, I would have never believed you. T-Knight is all I have. The D-line is all I have…to be out there and celebrate such a great moment that we brought upon ourselves, it was so emotional. I hope we get to do it more."

Williams, who is called the “Sack Man” by his coaches and teammates is someone who the Huskers will lean on as the season moves forward. 

Last year, Williams played in just three games, but he had 4 tackles and 2 sacks. This season he has 10 tackles and 4 sacks already. He’s also got 7 quarterback hits and 8 QB hurries. He’s been a problem for opposing offenses and now he gets a week to reload and lead the Nebraska football pass rush against what could be the best offense it’s seen so far in Indiana.