Senior Spotlight: James Smith-Williams

RALEIGH, N.C. - James Smith-Williams' career can be described in two words: perseverance and development.

His journey has not been easy over the past five seasons, but he is now reaping the rewards in all facets of his life.

Earning a starting role in 2018 and more than tripling his play count from 2017, Smith-Williams' set a career-high with 9.5 tackles for loss last season, including two games recording two tackles for loss, tied for second on the team.

He most complete effort was when he tallied a career-best seven tackles in NC State's win over James Madison.

The Raleigh native who graduated from local Millbrook High School, Smith-Williams sees a lot of parallels between life on and off the field that have helped him on his way to success.

"The core principles for success are the same," said Smith-Williams. "The work is very different, but the tools you rely on are your work ethic, doing your job based on the expectations that are set before you, and your goals.

"The background of football laid that out for me in terms of responsibility, accountability, work ethic, and perseverance. Those ideals translate to the other aspects of my life."

Juggling his academic, athletic, professional, and personal life has been challenging, but Smith-Williams makes certain that he has his priorities straight in each.

"I have a goal board that has four headings: spiritual, family, academics, and athletics," said Smith-Williams. "It's a more recent thing I've done in the past two or three years as I mature as a person and as a player. I like to put down tangible things.

"Spiritually, for me, the biggest thing is staying connected with my faith. I go into seasons of life, like fall camp, when I'm slammed. There are 16 hour days where I wake up at 6 a.m. and get home at 10 p.m. and my head immediately hits the pillow. I want to make sure that I keep my relationship and bond with God.

"Academically, I want to finish up my graduate degree I've been working on. Athletically, I want to win a championship. That's my biggest goal. Being all-conference and receiving individual accolades would be nice, but my number one priority is winning a championship. I don't want to leave here without one."

Smith-Williams not only excels on the field, but also in his professional development. He has earned (and accepted) a full-time offer at IBM following life after football after he interned at IBM for two summers.

"I am lucky to have found my home in the school of business, which led me to IBM," said Smith-Williams. "I worked with robotic automation.

"NC State and the football program opened that door for me. I work with students that are top of their classes at Ivy League schools, so to be exposed to their talents has been a valuable experience in making me a better employee and person."

The All-ACC academic honoree has also managed to make an impact in the community. Earlier this year, Smith-Williams was inspired by Brenda Tracey, an advocate for sexual violence, who challenged NC State student-athletes to commit to not being a bystander when someone is in a bad situation.

"I took her speech as a call to action," said Smith-Williams. "We partnered with a local domestic violence shelter, InterAct, to raise aware and collect items that people are in need of. We had an awesome fan response; we collected two full cars of stuff at a baseball game.

"The biggest thing for me is giving back because I've been given some great opportunities. I love to work with kids, so I've always been involved with the Boys & Girls Club. In the spring, I go every Wednesday evening and play games with the children for about 45 minutes, and then for the next hour sit down and help them with homework."

Smith-Williams has certainly grown off the field during his time at NC State, but he also notes how he has grown on the field, literally.

"Athletically, my journey has had its ups and downs over the course of my five years at NC State," said Smith-Williams. "I came in as a 190 lb. kid. I've gained about 80 lbs. since then, and that process of shaping my body has completely changed who I am as a player and has completely changed my game.

"I've had setbacks along the way with injuries and coaching changes, but the biggest thing is to trust what is happening in the program. When you trust the staff, the nutritionist, position coach, etc., then you can have the success you want to have. That's the biggest testament to the program: I've had the faith to keep going and buy in when things got tough, and NC State led me to where I am now."

As he reflects on his final season donning the Red and White, Smith-Williams knows he will miss his time with his teammates on and off the field.

"I'm going to miss the guys. I've been here for five years, and I have made some great bonds over those years. The people I'm with every day are incredible.

"It's going to be hard to wake up one day and not get to come to NC State and continue to have those relationships on a daily basis. I am so thankful for the people here who have wrapped their arms around me and helped me grow through this five-year journey."

Players Mentioned

James Smith-Williams

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