From Late Bloomer to LSU Tiger: Jackson Williams’ Unconventional Rise to the SEC
Jackson Williams didn’t grow up in the trenches of youth football camps or spend his early high school years grinding on the gridiron. In fact, the LSU signee didn’t even strap on pads until his junior year at Archbishop Shaw High School. But once he did, it didn’t take long for the 6-foot-2, 180-pound defensive back to make his presence felt.
Williams helped lead Shaw to a Division II Select state championship in 2024, anchoring a defense that gave up just 13.5 points per game-a stingy unit that leaned on his instincts, athleticism, and raw playmaking ability. For a guy who only recently switched over from basketball, the transition was seamless. And college programs took notice.
The first to come calling? Tulane.
The Green Wave offered Williams that summer, and after a visit to their Uptown campus, he committed on June 7, 2025. At the time, it looked like a solid match-a local kid staying close to home with a clear path to playing time.
But then the coaching carousel spun, as it always does. When Tulane head coach Jon Sumrall accepted the Florida job on December 1, Williams reopened his recruitment.
Just one day later, he committed to Washington State and signed with the Cougars on December 3. That, too, was short-lived.
Washington State head coach Jimmy Rogers left for Iowa State, which voided Williams’ National Letter of Intent and left him once again searching for a landing spot.
That’s when LSU stepped in.
The Tigers had been monitoring Williams, but with him previously committed elsewhere, they hadn’t made a move. Once they learned he was back on the market, the interest turned into action. After an in-depth conversation with LSU safeties coach Jake Olsen, Williams received his official offer on January 11.
“We talked about how I can take that next step,” Williams said. “They really liked my versatility, and I just felt like it was a no-brainer.”
For Williams, who grew up dreaming of wearing purple and gold, the LSU offer was more than just another opportunity-it was the one he’d been waiting for. He took his official visit to Baton Rouge and committed on January 18.
“The visit made me want to go there ten times more,” he said. “The campus, the facilities-everything they had to offer just stood out.”
But it wasn’t just the facilities or the dream of playing in Death Valley that sealed the deal. It was the culture-the way the LSU staff approached development, not just as football players, but as men.
“They build you for life outside of football, too,” Williams said. “That culture they’re building-it’s contagious.”
Even though he didn’t get to meet head coach Lane Kiffin during his official visit, Kiffin made sure to close that loop. On January 22, Kiffin and members of his staff made the hourlong drive to Archbishop Shaw to meet Williams in person.
“It was a good time,” Williams recalled. “We talked about my film, and he pointed out things you can’t teach-just that mentality. Coming from basketball, some of the hits I was making, he said, ‘You can’t teach that.’”
That personal touch mattered. In a recruiting world often dominated by Zoom calls and social media graphics, Kiffin’s decision to show up in person made a lasting impression.
“It shows he cares,” Williams said. “He’s got a lot on his plate, and for him to take time out of his day to come see me-that meant a lot.”
Williams officially signed with LSU on February 4. He enters the program rated as the No. 167 safety in the country and the No. 49 player in Louisiana, according to 247Sports.
For a guy who’s only been playing football for two seasons, Williams’ rise has been anything but conventional. But with his size, athleticism, and a football IQ that’s catching up fast, he’s stepping into Baton Rouge with something to prove-and the tools to back it up.