Hand injury won’t slow down SIU safety Jagger Williams

CARBONDALE, Ill. — Southern Illinois safety Jagger Williams has handled adversity before, so coming back from a broken finger won’t do much to slow him down.

The Los Angeles native was largely overlooked by recruiters as a college prospect. He described himself as “a late bloomer” and said he worked out on his own seven days a week during COVID to make himself college-ready.

After accepting a walk-on offer from Utah Tech, Williams quickly proved himself, earning a scholarship following his freshman year.

Williams recorded 61 tackles during a breakout sophomore season in 2023. That was followed by an injury-riddled 2024 campaign, in which he credits his faith for seeing him through the hard times.

After arriving on Southern's campus last summer, Williams immersed himself in the program’s culture and quickly learned the system. Even a protective club on his right hand won’t keep him from playing at a high level and making an important contribution to SIU’s defense. He played a season-high 35 snaps last Saturday versus Indiana State.

StrongDawgs Conversation with Jagger Williams

SD: Let's start with the name. Is there a story behind the name Jagger?

JW: My mom was listening to the radio while she was pregnant with me, and she heard that a celebrity, Pamela Anderson, had named her child Jagger. My mom just really liked that name and my dad liked it, also.

SD: Were you born in California? Tell me about your family.

JW: Yeah, born and raised. I grew up a USC fan. I live five minutes down the street from USC. I love the city, my friends back home, the beach, the weather. My dad played receiver at Western Michigan and put up some crazy stats, because he would run straight go-balls. So that's where I get my speed from. My mom graduated from USC, so she’s where I get my brains from, and then I have three sisters, and they take good care of me. I love them all.

SD: Did your dad influence your decision to play football?

JW: Definitely, but my mom loves football, too. She would always tell me stories about going to USC games. Every Saturday, we’d watch USC play and she’d be screaming at the TV. We loved watching the NFL together, too.

Williams is playing with a protective club on his right hand.

SD: When did you realize you could play at the next level?

JW: There were definitely moments in high school when I doubted myself. I was a late bloomer. I was around 5-foot-8 until my junior year of high school. COVID is where I really separated myself. I out-worked a lot of people that were ahead of me in high school. I started to realize I could play at the next level, and that thought process made me work even harder.

SD: How did you separate yourself during COVID?

JW: There were pros and cons to COVID. Obviously, I didn't get to play a full season that year, but it allowed me to catch up, because I was also very skinny. Every day — I literally would't miss a day — I would wake up early in the morning, go run, lift weights in the backyard. I mean, there was nothing else to do. I was eating the right foods, gaining good weight and strength.

SD: How did you wind up at Utah Tech?

JW: After my 2021 season in high school, I had no offers. Dixie State, which became Utah Tech, offered me a preferred walk-on in July and I was on campus the next month. I got a scholarship after my freshman year and that was my home for the last four years. I learned so much there, went through some adversity there, and it really made me who I am today.

SD: Explain the adversity you dealt with last season.

JW: I was coming off a season in 2023 when I had 61 tackles, a really good season. I had very high expectations for myself in 2024, and started the first game against Montana State with 10 tackles. The next game, I had a tackle for loss on the first play and sprained my AC joint in my shoulder. I felt like I didn't have time to miss games, so I kind of rushed trying to get back. A couple plays into the game versus UC Davis, I hurt it again, really messed me up for a bit.

SD: What did you learn about yourself during that time?

JW: I think, honestly, the biggest thing was I leaned heavily on my faith during that tough period. I started praying on my situation. I realized there was no point of me complaining, whining about how I wished I could have been healthy that season.

Williams played at Purdue before having finger surgery and missing two games.

SD: You entered the portal last spring. What made you decide to transfer to SIU?

JW: I was still finishing up classes at Utah Tech when Southern Illinois reached out. I had followed Coach Pron (Lee Pronschinske) on Twitter. He texted me and we talked. The biggest thing about Southern Illinois and about Coach Pron’s approach was it felt like he needed me here, they wanted a veteran safety room. There were other schools in the conference recruiting me, but SIU was the first one I visited, and they made it happen.

There's just a real pride in being a Saluki. You look at the NFL wall, guys who played here and made it to the next level. You're proud to be a part of that. The conference championships, the history of winning — I wanted to go somewhere with a strong culture.

SD: How did it feel to join SIU’s safeties room and play in Coach Pron’s system?

JW: Cejai (Parson) and Vinny (Pierre Jr.), those guys welcomed me with open arms. Coach Pron’s system allows you to play so much faster. There is a lot to analyze, a lot of communication that goes on, but when we’re all on the same page, you feel free to go play football and make plays. It's easy to ask him questions, and with him being the safeties coach and the DC, it’s like you get a 2-for-1.

SD: You’re playing with a club on your right hand. Tell me what happened and how that adjustment is going.

JW: In the Thomas More game, I was on punt return and dislocated my ring finger in seven places. Dr. (Scott) Schonewolf, Mike (Lyznicki) and Bri (Sevin) told me I needed to get surgery to keep it from popping out. I wanted to play against Purdue, so they helped me out by allowing me to play that game and then got the surgery after that game.

I missed the UT Martin and SEMO games. While I was out, I stayed consistent with my routine, still in the film room, writing notes, preparing myself as if I were going to play. There's no pain at all. I’m using it to my advantage, trying to punch out the ball, get PBUs. I’m figuring out how to catch the ball when it comes to me. It’s an adjustment, but I’m making a bad situation into a positive.

SD: What are your plans for after football?

JW: I want to own my own business. One of my favorite shows growing up was Shark Tank. Sports is my passion, so I think it'll be something sports-related. Whatever it is, I just want to help people out, influence people as much as I can.