The college football landscape is filled with unpredictability now that we have the Wild West of the transfer portal included in the mix (look at the Nico Iamaleava situation).
College athletics has been converted into a semi-professional league in a sense. The players have more independence, which I believe is ultimately a good thing for the sport if it is regulated properly.
With that said, it hasn't changed the fact that fan bases are now involved more than ever. It seems like a variety of teams across the country are relying on boosters to help in the Name, Image, and Likeness era to ensure that rosters are being filled with talent to obtain championship-level success.
With that involvement, social media has become an outlet where fans express their opinions. It can be in a positive fashion or negative. With the transfer portal in place, college football athletes are allowed to transfer out of their current situation and move to a different environment.
Florida State football picked up a talented pass rusher this offseason in former Nebraska defensive end James Williams. During the 2024 season with the Cornhuskers, he recorded 14 tackles (six for loss) and five sacks. It helps that he is also reunited with his defensive line coach Terrance Knighton in Tallahassee.
The redshirt junior pass rusher conducted an interview with Warchant's Jeff Cameron on the difference between the Seminoles and his former team, Nebraska, where he stated the following:
"Football reigns supreme down here, so it's a different speed."
Williams wasn't throwing a shot at his former team and mentioned several times throughout the interview that there was no bad blood involved, but some of the Cornhusker fan base took offense to what was said.
Former Nebraska star fires back at James Williams over lingering Huskers talk
Adam Carricker didn't mince words when saying how he felt about Williams comments on Nebraska.
James Williams needs to stop talking about Nebraska.
— Adam Carriker (@AdamCarriker94) April 13, 2025
It’s not that hard. Just thank the Huskers for giving you an opportunity in the first place & then move on.
Or just say nothing about us & focus on Florida State.
The dragging didn't stop with Carricker. Seems the Husker Nation as a whole wants Williams to zip up about his former team.
Reminder that no one would know who James Williams is if it wasn’t for Matt Rhule and the University of Nebraska https://t.co/S1txOlV9do
— Barstool ‘Skers (@BarstoolHusker) April 14, 2025
James Williams is slowly losing my respect. This is not how a player acts if he actually respects his teammates. Just because you frame it with "no disrespect" blah blah blah, but then throw shade at your former team and teammates, it's still disrespect. Kid needs to learn what… https://t.co/LFFPQq9WBt
— Justin Adams #GBR 🌽 (@The_HtownHusker) April 13, 2025
These Nebraska fans were funny on social media when they were angry at Williams for the variety of topics that were discussed in the interview. What makes it even more hilarious is that he and defensive line coach Terrance Knighton tweeted about it.
Williams made sure those who weren't pleased with his words knew how he felt.
— James Williams (@KingJamesUpNext) April 13, 2025
And Coach Terrance Knighton is clearly in Williams corner
James Williams can say what he wants. Just like everyone else
— Terrance Knighton (@Coach_Knighton) April 13, 2025
CONCLUSION
I love the engagement that it is getting on social media. It is not taking away from the game of football that the Seminoles will be playing in August. The Cornhusker fan base just needs to simmer down and understand that Williams made the best decision for him as he chose to come play at Florida State. I cannot wait to see him shine with the Seminoles and prove the doubters wrong.