Troy University Athletics
It’s All on You: Jah-Mal Williams’ Outlook on Life and Football
11/8/2025 11:52:00 AM | Football
TROY, Ala. – Although he was ranked among the top 85 defensive ends coming out of Cardinal Gibbons High School, Jah-Mal Williams took a long road to earn a starting role in college football.
"Nobody is going to force you to be great," Williams said. "It's all on you. I've realized nobody is going to push you — you've got to do it yourself."
Williams, a three-star prospect from Carver Ranches, Florida, committed to Cincinnati over offers from Mississippi State and Arizona State. Despite the hype, he started his career on the Bearcats' scout team.
"I wasn't a guy who played early, so sticking to the process was important," Williams said. "I knew I had to stay committed and see it through. My day would come, but playing and getting reps would come later."
That patience paid off. Williams made his collegiate debut against Eastern Kentucky and appeared in 10 games during the 2023 season, recording three tackles. After two years at Cincinnati, he sought a new opportunity and found it in Troy under head coach Gerad Parker.
"Troy was one of the only schools that reached out and showed me love," Williams said. "Troy made me feel like I was at home."
The fit was immediate. Williams played the 10th most snaps on defense for the Trojans last season, finishing with 30 tackles and a sack. Through this season's midway point, he has already totaled 3.5 sacks, showing the growth that comes from persistence and trust in the process.
As a bandit — Troy's hybrid defensive end/linebacker position — Williams thrives on getting after the quarterback. His passion for pass rushing began long before college.
"I initially wanted to play defensive end and wide receiver," Williams said. "One game, I had a sack, and I just knew I'd play defense for sure. After that, I stuck with defensive end instead of receiver."
Football has always been a family affair for Williams. His love for the game started by watching his older cousins play, and now it fuels his desire to be a role model for his younger siblings.
"I would see my bigger cousins play football and always watched and enjoyed their games," Williams said. "I finally started playing at 11 years old."
Williams, who has two older sisters and two younger brothers, said his family remains his biggest source of motivation.
"At the end of the day, I just want to set an example for my little brothers," he said. "Family means everything — that's why I'm here."
That drive extends beyond family ties. Williams said his motivation also comes from competing against himself and constantly pushing to improve.
"It's also me going against myself and my confidence," he said. "I try to tell myself I can do whatever I want out there instead of laying down and not doing it."
At Troy, Williams said he has benefited from being surrounded by talented teammates in his position group, learning from veterans and peers alike.
"I was here with Phillip Lee last year, and there are other guys like Donnie Smith and Jabril McNeill," Williams said. "Everybody has their own type of style and strengths. Whatever I see that I think I'm capable of doing, I try to do it here and there."
With two seasons of experience under his belt and his best football still ahead, Williams said his goals are clear — both personal and team-oriented.
"I just want to pull off a conference championship win," Williams said. "I want to share that with Troy and the rest of the family here."
"Nobody is going to force you to be great," Williams said. "It's all on you. I've realized nobody is going to push you — you've got to do it yourself."
Williams, a three-star prospect from Carver Ranches, Florida, committed to Cincinnati over offers from Mississippi State and Arizona State. Despite the hype, he started his career on the Bearcats' scout team.
"I wasn't a guy who played early, so sticking to the process was important," Williams said. "I knew I had to stay committed and see it through. My day would come, but playing and getting reps would come later."
That patience paid off. Williams made his collegiate debut against Eastern Kentucky and appeared in 10 games during the 2023 season, recording three tackles. After two years at Cincinnati, he sought a new opportunity and found it in Troy under head coach Gerad Parker.
"Troy was one of the only schools that reached out and showed me love," Williams said. "Troy made me feel like I was at home."
The fit was immediate. Williams played the 10th most snaps on defense for the Trojans last season, finishing with 30 tackles and a sack. Through this season's midway point, he has already totaled 3.5 sacks, showing the growth that comes from persistence and trust in the process.
As a bandit — Troy's hybrid defensive end/linebacker position — Williams thrives on getting after the quarterback. His passion for pass rushing began long before college.
"I initially wanted to play defensive end and wide receiver," Williams said. "One game, I had a sack, and I just knew I'd play defense for sure. After that, I stuck with defensive end instead of receiver."
Football has always been a family affair for Williams. His love for the game started by watching his older cousins play, and now it fuels his desire to be a role model for his younger siblings.
"I would see my bigger cousins play football and always watched and enjoyed their games," Williams said. "I finally started playing at 11 years old."
Williams, who has two older sisters and two younger brothers, said his family remains his biggest source of motivation.
"At the end of the day, I just want to set an example for my little brothers," he said. "Family means everything — that's why I'm here."
That drive extends beyond family ties. Williams said his motivation also comes from competing against himself and constantly pushing to improve.
"It's also me going against myself and my confidence," he said. "I try to tell myself I can do whatever I want out there instead of laying down and not doing it."
At Troy, Williams said he has benefited from being surrounded by talented teammates in his position group, learning from veterans and peers alike.
"I was here with Phillip Lee last year, and there are other guys like Donnie Smith and Jabril McNeill," Williams said. "Everybody has their own type of style and strengths. Whatever I see that I think I'm capable of doing, I try to do it here and there."
With two seasons of experience under his belt and his best football still ahead, Williams said his goals are clear — both personal and team-oriented.
"I just want to pull off a conference championship win," Williams said. "I want to share that with Troy and the rest of the family here."
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