Before the confetti that comes with an HBCU national title fell on the face of Jackson State defensive tackle Jeremiah Williams face, tears soaked it.After twice coming up close but empty, the Jackson State defensive tackle finally stood atop the HBCU football world, a 28-7 win over South Carolina State in the Celebration Bowl sealing his redemption.“It really hurt my heart…those two times we went to the Celebration Bowl and didn’t win,” Williams said, voice steady but full of memory. “I made a promise to myself that if I went back again, I would not lose the game and I would dominate.”He did exactly that, earning Defensive MVP honors and delivering the performance of a lifetime on the biggest stage in HBCU football.
From Prime Time to Prime Example
Williams’ journey with Jackson State began in the Deion Sanders era, when the Tigers became the talk of HBCU sports. Recruited by assistant Otis Ridley during the early days of “Coach Prime,” the Mississippi native wasted little time committing.“It was a blessing,” he recalled. “To get the call, to get the offer—I knew right away I wanted to commit.”He was part of back-to-back SWAC Championship teams in 2021 and 2022, but both ended with heartbreaking losses in the Celebration Bowl. When Sanders left for Colorado following the 2022 season, a wave of players left too. But not Williams.“I love Jackson State. Great culture, great fans,” he said. “Coach TC and Coach O had a plan. They let me know they wanted me to be a part of it. They trusted me the most.”
A Pillar in the Transition
That trust went both ways. In 2023, T.C. Taylor took the reins as Jackson State’s head coach, guiding the Tigers through a 7-4 rebuilding year. But by 2024, Williams was one of the pillars of a retooled defense that helped return the Tigers to SWAC dominance.
“Not just happy—I’m proud,” Taylor said of Williams after the Celebration Bowl win. “You talk about a legacy guy that started at Jackson State and is going to finish at Jackson State.”
Taylor didn’t hold back when praising his veteran tackle.“You have to show me a more dominant D-Tackle in FCS football than Jeremiah Williams,” he said. “He comes with his lunch box to work every day. He demands the best from his teammates. He’s a humble young man—and that’s what I love about him.”
Finishing What He Started
For Williams, the 2024 title run was about more than just wins. It was about fulfilling a promise to himself, his coaches, and his team…