Smith-Williams Looking to Step Up in Starting Role

RALEIGH, N.C. – With all four starters from last season's defensive line now in NFL training camps as rookies, there is plenty of opportunity in #PackCamp for those that played back-up roles to now step forward.

One such player looking to transition into that new starting role on the defensive line is redshirt-junior James Smith-Williams.

With his first two seasons plagued by season ending injuries in 2015 and 2016, Smith-Williams played a bigger role on the defensive line behind Bradley Chubb last year. He had his most productive season to date, as he played in 12 games and saw 152 snaps.

While he gives both Chubb's pass rushing and run game talents merit, he feels that his passion to stop the run game will aide in leaving his mark and in separating himself from Chubb in the defensive end position.

Ultimately, Smith-Williams just wants to suppress opposing offenses. His goal: to "shut down the boundary front side of the field."

Named the Alpha Wolf of the defense this offseason, the defensive end from Raleigh feels his biggest improvement from last season is his body. Gaining over 60 pounds since coming into the program, Smith-Williams was named a Top-50 'Freak' for this upcoming season by Bruce Feldman of The Athletic.

Those named to the list "display the type of rare physical abilities that wow even those folks who are used to observing gifted athletes everyday."

He boasts a 6-3, 270-pound frame that can bench 415 pounds, and squat 620 pounds. In terms of explosiveness, Smith-Williams has recorded a 38.5-inch vertical jump and 4.62 40-yard dash.

His impact stretches beyond the football field.

In high school, Smith-Williams started an Athletic Service Club at Millbrook High School. He continues to serve the community during his time at NC State.

During the season, Smith-Williams will visit a local daycare on Western Blvd. He engages with children coming from impoverished homes, "helping them with their homework and giving them someone to look up to."

The multi-faceted defensive end also has taken a jumpstart into his professional career in preparation for life after football. A supply chain major, Smith-Williams worked a paid internship at IBM this summer, working closely with robotics automation.

His main focus was procurement, which encompassed data technology, data mining, and Excel. When Smith-Williams left his internship, he felt he "left an actual impact," which was his goal coming into the experience.

His time at IBM facilitated his growth as a professional in the workforce. This opportunity has aided in "opening the door for him," as he is in his last semester of undergraduate studies, graduating in December.

While Smith-Williams has had a strong influence on whatever he decides to tackle, he knows for the team to be successful, he needs to step up as a leader. Finding ways to get out of his comfort zone to maximize his potential will also be essential to his growth on the field this season.

As Smith-Williams describes, he needs to "live up to what [he] can do, become a better player and leave an impact here at NC State."

If his past is a good predictor of the future, expect to hear James Smith-Williams name, and more importantly, feel his impact on the field this season.

North Carolina State University Athletics

Smith-Williams Looking to Step Up in Starting Role

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Bradley Chubb

James Smith-Williams

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