FSU’s New Transfer Takes a Shot at Alabama While Mike Norvell Faces Fallout from LSU’s Gain

James Williams, a defensive end who transferred from Nebraska to Florida State, wasted no time making a statement ahead of his debut season. On Tuesday, he told TDA magazine, “I’m here to dominate against Alabama,” firmly staking his claim before even stepping onto the field in garnet and gold. A gutsy declaration, especially considering he’s joining a team that just finished last in the conference. If you’re going to call your shot in a showdown with Alabama, you’d better back it up with more than words and big plays—something the Seminoles lacked last season.
Williams’ remarks put more pressure on Mike Norvell than on him. Alabama doesn’t forget slights, and new head coach Kalen DeBoer certainly won’t overlook this. The Tide reload, not rebuild, and their offensive line is already taking notice of Williams’ comments. Let’s be real—Florida State has enough issues without giving Alabama extra motivation.
The Seminoles already lost their offensive coordinator, Alex Atkins, to LSU, a move that feels like a gift for Brian Kelly rather than a shake-up for Florida State. Losing coaching talent while calling out SEC giants is a risky game, one that could backfire if the on-field performance doesn’t live up to expectations.
FSU did hire Gus Malzahn from UCF to replace Atkins, but Atkins’ impact went beyond play-calling—he was a key recruiter who helped land 5-star recruits. Case in point: as soon as Atkins left, top OL commit Solomon Thomas decommitted. So while Norvell deals with the fallout from LSU’s gain (and they’ve added a new DE), they have a tough road ahead.
The reality is, Williams hasn’t been a standout in his college career. In his two seasons at Nebraska under coach Matt Rhule, he totaled 18 tackles and seven sacks—not exactly the resume of a game-changer. His confidence is admirable, but Florida State fans have seen enough hype without results to back it up.
Mike Norvell and Williams have a lot to prove in 2025. The 6’6”, 250-pound edge rusher’s boldness may energize the locker room, but that won’t matter if the team doesn’t perform on Saturdays. Talking big is one thing—actually dominating Alabama is a whole other challenge.
In laying out his goals for the upcoming year, Williams inadvertently threw some shade at future opponents. Even Wake Forest, another team on the Florida State schedule, got caught in the crossfire. While stating his mission to dominate Alabama, Williams made it clear that some teams weren’t even on his radar.
“I’m not just here to be a recruiting face for you guys; I’m here to dominate against Alabama,” Williams said. “I want to make sure I’m not just good against Wake Forest—I’m ready for Clemson, Miami, and all of those big games we have, including Florida at the end of the year.” If you’re a Wake Forest fan, that comment stings.
Wake Forest is on FSU’s 2025 schedule, but apparently, Williams doesn’t see them as a major obstacle. The irony? Wake Forest has actually beaten Florida State in three of the last four matchups. They didn’t play in 2024, but when Alabama and Wake Forest face off with their self-proclaimed heckler, it will be an intriguing test. Especially for Bama, who will open their 2025 season in Tallahassee with a lot of added motivation.