Wide receiver Jameson Williams has been a cornerstone player for the Detroit Lions this season, even recording a career-high 143 receiving yards on five catches in the Week 16 game against the Chicago Bears.
A Day 1 pick in the 2022 NFL Draft, Williams began his collegiate career at Ohio State. However, in 2021, he transferred to Alabama, where he was named a starter.
Jameson Williams on His Ohio State Transfer
Talking about his decision to transfer out of Ohio State on Dec. 25th episode of the “St. Brown” podcast, Williams said:
“(Alabama) was where I needed to be. … I really just wanted an opportunity bruh. I knew what I could do.”
As a freshman for the Buckeyes, Williams appeared in 14 games. The following year, he started in six. However, compared to his WR teammates at the time, Chris Olave and Garrett Wison were much more involved, with several more catches, yards, and touchdowns to their names. With Jaxon Smith-Njigba possibly becoming the third receiver after them in 2021, Williams knew his playing time would be limited.
In an interview with Andrew Bone in May 2021, Williams said: “To me, things were just unclear. I wasn’t certain of my role in the offense. The receiver room got crowded. I just decided I needed a fresh start. I decided to enter the (transfer) portal.”
The decision proved to be fruitful, as Williams is now a key piece in Detriot’s lineup and has accumulated 890 yards on 47 receptions and six touchdowns in the Lions’ 13-2 campaign this year. And thanks in large part to Williams’ production, the team is leading the NFC North.
In his most recent game against the Bears, Williams made an 82-yard touchdown grab in the second quarter on a throw from Jared Goff that extended the Lions’ lead to 20-0, which unfolded into a 34-17 win.
That was the longest touchdown of Williams’ NFL career. In fact, the last time an 82+ yard play was made by the franchise was in 2013, when Matthew Stafford threw to Calvin Johnson.
Although Williams’ play has had its ups and downs, his skills have visibly refined in his third NFL season. His Week 16 TD grab was his fourth score of 50+ yards in 2024, with surely more spectacular plays to come.