FCS NATIONAL BOWL WEBSITE I ROSTERS Miami, FL – Linebacker
Jarrid Williams (Poughkeepsie, NY/Poughkeepsie) not only competed in the FCS National Bowl, a senior all-star game held at FIU Stadium, he took home overall MVP honors.
The 6-1, 235-pound outside linebacker recorded seven tackles while registering 2.5 sacks for the American Team in the second annual FCS Bowl, held on Dec. 6, which provided an opportunity for top collegiate players, who have completed their eligibility in NCAA Division I Football Championship Subdivision (FCS), Division II and Division III, to showcase their talents in front of professional scouts.
This year's game attracted 12 NFL teams and scouts from five different professional football leagues. NFL Films has distributed the game film to all 32 NFL teams.
"It was a great experience," said Williams, who also an accomplished player throughout his Seahawk career. The scouts took a lot of our measurements, height, weight, fist size, and then we had two days of practices. It was really good competition and exposure."
Competing as a graduate student in 2015 while working towards an MBA after earning his bachelor's degree last May, the physical and instinctual linebacker amassed a career-high 14 tackles in his final collegiate game on November 21 at Sacred Heart. This performance against the defending Northeast Conference champions capped a season where he finished fourth on the team in tackles with 52 (42 solo), with three tackles for loss to go with three pass breakups, three pass breakups, two fumble recoveries, one forced fumble and blocked kick.
"I'd like to take football as far as it can take me," added Williams, who majored in Sociology. "In addition to the NFL, there's the CFL, Arena League and a few others, so we'll see."
Williams, who also serves as Intramural Sports Director at Wagner, was one of three Seahawks who took part in the game, along with cornerback
Deangelo James (Miami, FL/American Senior) and offensive lineman
Brus Palaj (Staten Island, NY/Monsignor Farrell).
The 5-10, 170-pound James was a stalwart in the Seahawk secondary, while doubling as a dangerous kick returner, throughout his Seahawk career. In 2015 as a fifth-year senior, the speedy James recorded 36 tackles, headlined by 29 solo stops, with three interceptions, which tied for second on the Northeast Conference (NEC), 11 passes defended and eight pass breakups.
At 6-6, 300 pounds, Palaj was a mainstay along the Wagner offensive line throughout his four-year career. The local product was both productive and durable for the Green & White throughout his Wagner career, gaining 34 starting assignments, primarily at left guard.
Overall MVP: Jarrid Williams LB Wagner (American Team- White)Overall Lineman MVP: Damian Love Oc Alabama State (National Team - Black)
Special Teams MVP: Brent Wahle Kicker Ohio Dominican (National Team - Black)
Black Offensive MVP: Sheldon Augustine Wr Langston (National Team - Black)
Black Defensive MVP: Byron Benson S Eastern Oregon (National Team - Black)
White Offensive MVP: Mark Iannotti Qb Southern Illinois (American Team -White)
White Defensive MVP: Michael Stojkovic Lb Robert Morris (American Team - White)
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