Rams help ex-Oscar Smith, Hampton quarterback fulfill his NFL dream
Williamson finds off-field position in player engagement
Jaylian Williamson dreamed of making it to the NFL.
Now the former Oscar Smith High standout quarterback has made that dream a reality.
But Williamson won’t be playing. Instead, he will serve as the Los Angeles Rams’ player engagement fellow.
“I always loved the game of football and I understood the reality of me not making it because I was undersized,” he said. “But I didn’t think I’d be working with the NFL. This is a dream come true for me.”
Often known as “JJ,” Williamson will assist with programs that support rookies’ transition mentally, physically and financially as they adjust to life in the NFL. He will also help provide resources and programs for current athletes to set them up for success on and off the field.
“They want me to help them anyway I can with their lifestyle and their transition into the NFL, and for life after football as well,” he said. “I’m excited about this opportunity.”
Williamson, 25, was hired last month, but had to put his move on hold because of the coronavirus pandemic.
“I’m waiting for things to get better and then I’m going to head on out there,” he said. “They sent me all of my information, so I’m working from home.”
Williamson earned the starting spot at Oscar Smith as a junior and threw for 3,244 yards — still No. 5 on South Hampton Roads’ single-season list — and 36 touchdowns.
His senior year, he guided Oscar Smith to the Group AAA Division 6 state title in 2011. He threw for 3,062 yards and 39 touchdowns and was named the Abe Goldblatt All-Tidewater Player of the Year. His touchdown total was a school record that stood until last season.
But he was overlooked by many colleges because of his size — 5-foot-10 and 170 pounds.
He went to Hampton University, where was a three-year starter. He suffered an injury that caused him to miss his senior season. It was then that he thought about life after football.
He earned a bachelor’s degree in sports management. He returned for his graduate year and earned third team All-MEAC honors and was the program’s Comeback Player of the Year. During that year, he also earned a master’s degree in sports management.
He left Hampton with records for most passing yards in a game (407 against Old Dominion in 2014) and most completions in a game (32 against North Carolina A&T in 2016).
After graduation, he interned in the MEAC office in the department of compliance and championships.
“I loved it and had a great time over there,” he said, “and helped out as much as possible.”
MEAC Commissioner Dr. Dennis E. Thomas said he was excited for Williamson in his new position.
“One of the goals of our internship program is to provide the interns realwork experience and improve their skill set so they will be more attractive to the workforce,” Thomas said in a press release. “Jaylian continues a long line of interns who have moved on to gain meaningful employment. We wish him well.”
Williamson thanked Thomas as well his parents, Julian and Kimberly, for pushing him along the way.
Julian Williamson, a Norfolk Battalion Chief, said seeing his son get this opportunity with the Rams is rewarding.
“It hasn’t been an easy road for him,” he said. “I just told him to stay the course because God had a plan for him. I think everything along the road prepared him for this opportunity.”