Amaree Williams was on track to be a high school senior in 2024 before reclassifying and signing with Florida State. But he still would have been a redshirt candidate, perhaps playing four games as an undersized defensive end.
A plan to have Williams line up at tight end played out well for his development. Williams played 148 snaps, grabbing five catches for 78 yards and two touchdowns. That on-field time has helped in his development and now the planned shift back to defensive end this spring.
“Something I always bring up is I wouldn’t have had a year worth of experience,” Williams said. “Just getting on the field, playing, playing fast, I feel like that’s the biggest thing for me right now is just slowing down everything in my head and just play. I’m an athlete. I’m able to make plays.”
Williams said he has been meeting with the offense this spring, but he’s been “going all in for defensive end.” An FSU defensive front that returns Darrell Jackson as well as potential rotation players like Daniel Lyons and KJ Sampson essentially needed an infusion of new faces. And FSU’s coaches did just that by hitting the portal and bringing in James Williams, Deante McCray and Deamontae Diggs.
FSU has also added Amaree Williams to the mix. When he signed with FSU in February 2024, Williams was announced at 215 pounds. But on Thursday night, Williams said he’s “upwards of 230.”
“There’s still space where I can put on more weight,” Williams said. “But I don’t feel like it’s slowed me down in any way, shape or form.”
Williams said he surprised himself by how quickly he has found his footing on defense. He has drawn praise this spring from coach Mike Norvell, who a week ago described an interception that was a "really athletic play for the defensive end position," to his FSU teammates.
"He's very athletic, he's very skilled and very talented,” Nebraska transfer James Williams said. “I went to go play basketball with him the other day and noticed that he flies down the court. He's a bit smaller so he needs to put that weight on, but I think he's going to be really dangerous. He's really effective as a pass-rusher. …
“His raw athleticism is something I haven't seen. His bend, his ability to get off, once he adds that weight, I think he's going to be a dog."
Williams’ skill set is that of a pass rusher, and it remains to be seen how he will defend the run. But FSU’s new defensive scheme under coordinator Tony White, which features a 3-3-5 alignment but often shifts to a four-man front, is one that Williams has enjoyed practicing in this spring.
“I love coach White’s scheme,” Williams said. “He definitely is foot on the gas. We’re going out there, bringing energy on the field. I feel like it’s been a total flip from last year with guys, there’s no walking around.”
Williams has embraced the Jack position, essentially a versatile defensive end who will often be tasked with pressuring the passer but could drop back.
“Jack’s to the boundary,” Williams said. “What coach (Terrance) Knighton told me is they’re the best pass rushers. They’re the guys that want to get to the ball. I feel like that complements my skill set with speed. I definitely play by that. I’m able to use power. I feel like that’s something that people doubt me with my size is that I’m able to bring power with that.”
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