Lions OC Loves Confidence, Personality Of Former BYU RB Jamaal Williams

SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – Detroit Lions offensive coordinator Anthony Lynn said he loves the confidence and personality of former BYU running back Jamaal Williams.

Lynn spoke about Williams during a recent interview with The Athletic‘s Chris Burke and Nick Baumgardner.

BYU’s all-time leading rusher joined Detroit as a free agent in March.

“I’ve been impressed with some of his work, like, “Wow, I didn’t know you could run that route, young man.” He’s been telling me. All you have to do is ask Jamaal — there’s nothing that he can’t do better than anyone else. I love his confidence, but it showed up on tape. It really did,” Lynn said of Williams.

Fourth and final part of our film sessions with the Lions’ coordinators …

Anthony Lynn explains why he sees Jamaal Williams as a “classic ‘A’ back” and how that fits alongside D’Andre Swift.

$1/month subscription inside:https://t.co/BXBA6pD3kj

— Chris Burke (@ChrisBurkeNFL) May 20, 2021

The Lions offensive coordinator added that Williams’ personality is something he can’t wait to see around the rest of the team.

“I love his personality. A lot of energy, a lot of passion,” Lynn continued “He just walks down the hallway and loves (talking to people). I can’t wait to get him around the teammates, just so they can feel his energy. When we were watching him in free agency, everybody just kind of responded to this young man every time he touched the football. That was kinda cool to see.”

Jamaal Williams is forever a vibe 🔥🤣 @jswaggdaddy pic.twitter.com/RQSDUXLCmY

— The Checkdown (@thecheckdown) January 19, 2020

Williams was unable to return to the Green Bay this offseason after the Packers re-signed fellow running back Aaron Jones.

The former BYU standout will now share the backfield in Detroit with young rusher D’Andre Swift.

To clarify here … "A" and "B" is just how Anthony Lynn describes his backs' skill sets — "A" is more between the tackles; "B" is "speed in space. It wasn't an RB1 and RB2 designation for Williams and Swift. The Lions love Swift. He's going to be a focal point of the offense. https://t.co/sNbUgdoNzg

— Chris Burke (@ChrisBurkeNFL) May 20, 2021

Lynn spoke about how he sees Williams as a running back for the Lions.

“Jamaal is what I’d call a classic “A” back. I like to break the backs down into A and B. My “A” backs are normally my bigger backs. They can run between the tackles, block probably a little better than a “B” back, they can also run the perimeter. I can leave those guys in there for all three downs,” Lynn said.”My “B” back comes in, he’s a guy that sometimes I want to use in space more. He’s my speed-in-space guy. I feel like Jamaal would be an outstanding “A” back. I like his energy, I like his pad level and the way he runs the football between the tackles.”

Jamaal Williams was a legit FA addition for the Lions this winter. He checked many boxes for Detroit's staff RE: fitting in next to D'Andre Swift.

What's that all mean?

Film talk with Lions OC Anthony Lynn. ($1 subscription offer inside) https://t.co/6LxB0XRydB

— Nick Baumgardner (@nickbaumgardner) May 20, 2021

Jamaal Williams in the NFL

After becoming BYU’s all-time leading rusher during his career in Provo from 2012-16, Williams pursued the NFL.