Titans LB James Williams Sr. leans into a lighter look as he battles for defensive and special-teams snaps

NASHVILLE, Tenn. James Williams Sr. is approaching the early stages of the Titans’ camp grind with a simple theme: he wants to be able to play faster, and he believes the body work is starting to show. According to a team report from Tennessee, Williams is “flying around” as he competes for playing time on defense and for opportunities on special teams, with an emphasis on continuing to elevate his game while also being lighter than he was in the past.

The Titans are still in the process of sorting out depth at linebacker and identifying which players can be trusted in multiple phases. For Williams, that means trying to earn reps both in defensive work and in the snaps that determine field position. Special teams roles can be a fast path for players to distinguish themselves in the evaluation period, and Tennessee’s report frames Williams’ camp focus as two-fold: contribute on defense and be ready to affect games on special teams.

Williams’ storyline also traces back to what he was projected to be before he reached the NFL. The team report notes that he was a five-star prospect and ranked as the No. 1 safety in the country during his high school days. That background matters in camp because it speaks to the kind of athletic pedigree the coaching staff is trying to translate into consistent value at the pro level, including instincts, movement, and the ability to play at full speed through contact.

What Williams is doing now, as described by Tennessee, is not about changing who he is so much as sharpening how he shows up. The report ties his “lighter” approach to his desire to reach the next level, presenting it as part of a broader development cycle rather than a one-week fix. In other words, the camp work is positioned as an ongoing adjustment intended to help him replicate the quickness and efficiency that marked him in high school.

The practical question for the Titans is how that athletic profile transfers into the responsibilities of an NFL linebacker. Defensive contributions are measured differently than in earlier stages, with gap discipline, assignment soundness, and reading routes before the play is fully formed. Meanwhile, special teams demands a different kind of preparation, including tackling angles, staying square in space, and executing immediately when the ball is kicked or returned.

For Williams, the next phase of the evaluation is about consistency. The team’s framing suggests he is attempting to translate offseason and training changes into repeatable practices, then carry that performance into whatever opportunities emerge as the Titans continue camp competition. If the “flying around” look holds, he gives Tennessee another option who can potentially serve as a rotational presence on defense and a dependable contributor on special teams.