Quincy Williams described the transition to the professional level as “sticking your head in a beehive.”
He went from the mid-major Murray State Racers to the NFL’s Jacksonville Jaguars.
In other words, a rookie realized he was suddenly smaller than he once was — not as fast, skilled, athletic, etc. — compared to everyone else.
Now, after six years in the league and entering his fourth with the Jets, Williams has comfortably transitioned from college safety to pro linebacker, and he is having a blast.
“Oh yeah, it’s even more fun, especially when you can call out the plays and they [the offense] are doing all these motions trying to trick you and stuff,” Williams said after practice Tuesday.
And it’s more enjoyable while being recognized for his work ethic, landing at No. 32 as the highest Jet on the NFL Network’s Top 100 Players of 2024 list.
“It feels good. It just shows that my preparation and everything I’m doing off the field and on the field is getting the recognition that it deserves,” Williams said. “But it also shows that I’m on the right track and also what I’m doing is working.”
His instincts and ability to anticipate have improved after seeing the same patterns on repeat, he explained.
Williams even has a contest with C.J. Mosely to see who can guess the most plays during practice. Mosely is currently beating him.
“Offense is really the same, they just try to dress it up differently,” Williams said. “So, just having the mindset of what’s going to happen next instead of not what’s going on right now.”
Head coach Robert Saleh said the game suddenly looks like “The Matrix” to Williams — significantly slowed down — which is a big difference from when the linebacker was overrunning plays at the start.
“He’s got his body moving faster than his eyes, and the game is moving faster than his mind,” Saleh said Tuesday. “The game has slowed down so much for him. He’s got such elite speed, elite length and football IQ that the game is moving at a snail’s pace for him. … He’s gliding and covering so much grass, and he’s learned how to control and tempo. … He’s a special one.”
Williams was snubbed by the Pro Bowl last year, despite having two sacks, two forced fumbles, an interception and 91 solo tackles, which ranked fifth in the league at the time of the selections in January.
He watched Sauce Gardner and older brother Quinnen Williams each earn their second trip to the game and finished the year with 95 solo tackles and 15 tackles for a loss.
At the time, Williams said he expected to earn it.
However, Saleh noted some players need to be more patient than others to get to a certain level.
“He’s got all the athletics tools. I think we forget sometimes that these guys need time,” Saleh said. “We celebrate the anomalies — the handful of guys that just explode onto the scene, and they become great the second they hit the field. And there’s some guys that just take time. It’s OK if it takes two, three, four years. … He has everything you want. … Some guys just take longer to develop and we are very fortunate.”
After the Pro Bowl snub, Williams wanted to leave no doubt that he deserves a nomination this season.
For that, he said he will have to focus on consistency, delivering on every play, as much as possible.
“I set the standard for myself, so now it’s keeping the same standard or exceeding that standard,” Williams said.