CBS Sports names Miami Hurricanes safety James Williams All-American

CBS Sports named Miami Hurricanes safety James Williams a preseason second-team All-American on Wednesday. Williams had 31 tackles, 0.5 tackles for loss, led Miami with two interceptions and had two pass breakups. Williams was a five-star signee with Miami in the Class of 2021.

Miami will have a deep safety corps in 2022 with Brian Balom, Kamren Kinchens, Avantae Williams and James Williams. Expect co-defensive coordinators Kevin Steele and Charlie Strong to work with defensive backs coach Jahmile Addae to get the best players on the field. James Williams will likely be moved around defensively.

Williams is the only ACC defensive back on the CBS preseason All-American team. CBS Sports named two cornerbacks and three non-specified defensive backs on its two All-American teams. Williams was not chosen to the preseason All-ACC team by the beat writers who cover conference teams.

At 6’5, 224 pounds, Williams can play inside the tackle box. Expect Kinchens, Avantae Williams and James Willams to play together for Miami in 2022. If Williams lives up to the preseason All-American honor, the Miami defense can become one of the best in college football. The Miami defense was sub Hurricanes standards in 2021.

After playing 10 games, earning seven starts and being named honorable mention All-ACC as a true freshman in 2021, Williams is primed for a breakout sophomore season in 2022. Miami needs sophomore defensive tackle Leonard Taylor and James Williams to become the anchors of the 2022 Miami defense.

Taylor was also a five-star 2021 signee with the Miami Hurricanes. Taylor was the Miami co-leader in 2021 with 8.5 TFLs. Taylor and Williams are the two most talented players on the Miami defense. Miami has not had an All-American defensive back since Kelly Jennings and Brandon Meriweather in 2004.

If the Miami defense improves significantly in 2022, Williams can become one of the marquee defensive players in college football. Having legendary safety Ed Reed as the current Chief of Staff should help Williams improve with the tutelage from Addae. Williams can become of the greatest Miami safeties in program history.