New LB coach Williams brings his freestyle raps — and more
New Miami Hurricanes linebackers coach Travis Williams, during his tenure at the same position at Auburn, has been known to bust a rhyme and hype up his players with his freestyle raps.
More valuable to Miami, however, will be his ability to get UM linebackers to wrap up and tackle. Taking over a unit that was uneven in 2020 under the tutelage of former defensive coordinator Blake Baker, whether Williams can optimize Hurricanes linebacker play will be a critical factor in determining if the Miami defense will see a resurgence in 2021 with coach Manny Diaz also coordinating it now.
“We are up for the challenge. This is Linebacker U,” said Williams, who once played linebacker at Auburn. “When I told the guys — I looked right at them — I told them, ‘We have an all-conference linebacker right here in this room.’ It all starts with mental. I really thought I was 6-4, 250 pounds as a linebacker, but I was 200 pounds.
“You have to love being physical. You have to love coming to work every day and playing linebacker at the U. You have to love going out there and dominating and having that pressure of all your former brothers watching you.
“I’m up for the challenge. The guys will be up for the challenge, but it starts mentally. We have it in the room. We’re going to get it out of them. I’m fired up for the opportunity.”
The 2020 season wasn’t a smooth transition for Miami linebackers, as the team lost Shaquille Quarterman and Michael Pinckney to the NFL. The Hurricanes didn’t have a linebacker finish in the top six on the team in tackles.
Three safeties — Bubba Bolden, Amari Carter and Gurvan Hall — two defensive ends in Jaelan Phillips and Quincy Roche and striker Gilbert Frierson are listed among UM’s tackle leaders before getting to starting middle linebacker Bradley Jennings Jr., who had 39 tackles. Jennings was in his first season as a starter.
Redshirt senior Zach McCloud did not make the impact he hoped for as the unit’s most-experienced leader following Quarterman and Pinckney’s departure. Starting eight of his nine games played, he was 13th on the team with 27 tackles, and McCloud is now likely making a move to defensive end after playing there in the bowl game loss to Oklahoma State.
Sophomore Sam Brooks had 37 tackles, mostly rotating in off the bench as he dealt with minor injuries, and could figure for a larger role. Freshman Corey Flagg could be in for a key offseason after seeing an uptick in playing time as the season went on, and the Hurricanes will look to develop Tirek Austin-Cave and Avery Huff and seek contributions from veteran Waynmon Steed. Incoming freshman Deshawn Troutman is already on campus for the spring semester.
Miami plays two linebackers along with a striker, a safety-linebacker hybrid, in Diaz’s defense.
“They were bright-eyed, they were eager to learn,” Williams said of his first impression of his linebackers. “They were eager to get better. Even when we get out there on Saturdays, last thing I told them is, ‘Every mistake you make is up to me, except for your effort, stupid penalties and you being physical.’ If you mess up on a play, I didn’t coach it right.”
Williams played for Auburn a decade-and-a-half ago. After a brief NFL career with the Atlanta Falcons, he had roles on the Tigers’ support staff before spending the last five seasons leading their linebackers. While Auburn through and through, he understands the history at Miami.
His first exercise with his new linebackers was for each one to write down a great linebacker that played at Miami, putting names on a board in the meeting room so they’re reminded of those names every time they meet.
“I think it’s something that’s huge for anybody to know the people that came before you,” Williams said. “We’re not just playing football. We’re representing something.”
In addition to developing the talent already in Coral Gables, Williams will expand on recruiting relationships developed around the Southeast and fully entrench himself in South Florida.
“It’s a ton of talent right here in our footprint, so we definitely have to take advantage of that,” Williams said. “It’s loaded down here. That’s why so many schools come down here, and we’re trying our best to keep them down here with us.”
Among qualities he’s looking for in recruiting: a love for the game, players who exhibit their skill set with pads on and not just in seven-on-seven, strength, sideline-to-sideline speed and leadership.
“If I’m recruiting you, you’re a five-star to me,” he said. “I have my own star ranking. If I’m recruiting you, I think you have the skill set to be a champion.”
As for Williams’ raps, it’s to be determined when he’ll release his first Miami-themed freestyle.
“I have a way with words,” he said. “It started when I played for the Falcons [2006-07]. Most guys would leave and they would play golf, and I was going to the studio just having fun in Atlanta.”