Jameson Williams had always dreamed of playing college football. When he got the call from the Ohio State Buckeyes, he thought he had made it. The excitement of joining a prestigious team overshadowed any doubts he had. However, reality soon set in.
From the moment he arrived, things felt off. Coaches seemed distant, teammates were cliquish, and the atmosphere was tense. Despite his best efforts, Jameson struggled to find his footing. He worked tirelessly, hoping to prove his worth, but it seemed like nothing was ever good enough. “They treated me like crap,” he confided to a friend one evening. The passion he once had for the game began to wane, overshadowed by the constant feeling of inadequacy and rejection.
Ohio State had one of the best teams in the nation, with a roster that included star quarterback Justin Fields and defensive standout Chase Young. If not for Joe Burrow’s stacked LSU squad or Trevor Lawrence’s Clemson Tigers, Ryan Day and the Buckeyes might have won a national championship. Fields had other top targets in Garrett Wilson, Chris Olave, and Jaxson Smith-Njigba, which left Jameson Williams in a supporting role.
Former Buckeyes quarterback Justin Fields reflected on this in an appearance on the St. Brown Podcast. “They were playing with Jamo. I’m not going to cap. They were playing with Jamo. He’s the run-off guy to get Garrett Wilson or Chris Olave open, basically. He’s the alert versus the quarters’ coverage or something like that. But they really weren’t messing with Jamo, but I’m glad he left. And he went crazy at Bama,” Fields said.
Williams ended his time at Ohio State with just 154 receiving yards on nine receptions. But his decision to transfer to Alabama changed everything. Under Nick Saban’s guidance, Williams thrived, amassing 1,572 receiving yards on 79 catches and scoring two touchdowns on kick returns. His numbers skyrocketed, and his confidence soared.
After three years in college, Williams was drafted 12th overall by the Detroit Lions in the 2022 NFL Draft. His first season was challenging, but he took a big leap in Year 2, helping propel Dan Campbell’s squad into postseason contention with 24 receptions for 354 yards.
Looking ahead, Williams aims to continue his momentum and perhaps even reach the Super Bowl with the Lions. Before all that happens, he might face his former Ohio State quarterback in the NFL preseason, as the Steelers and Lions are scheduled to play on August 24th.
Reflecting on his journey, Jameson realized that sometimes the toughest experiences lead to the most rewarding destinations. The Buckeyes might have treated him poorly, but their harsh treatment pushed him to find a place where he truly belonged and could shine.
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