Kennesaw State cornerback Jayven Williams talks decision to transfer to Mississippi State
Former Kennesaw State transfer cornerback Jayven Williams wasted little time regarding his future after entering the transfer portal. The Mobile, Ala., native officially visited Mississippi State this weekend and committed to the Bulldogs during that visit.
Williams was also pursued by Houston and Georgia Tech among others after entering the portal. He has two years of eligibility remaining and will enroll at Mississippi State in January.
“It felt great to choose but it was an easy decision for me,” Williams explained. “It felt like home to me right when I got here. So I will be back in January and ready to get started.”
Despite being his first trip to Starkville, Williams immediately felt at home on State’s campus. And everything on his visit stood out to him and helped lead to his decision.
“It was my first time there and it was amazing,” said the 6-foot-2 and 175-pound Williams. “Great atmosphere and great everything. It couldn’t have been better.”
Naturally, Williams spent much of the weekend with State’s coaches, particularly cornerbacks coach Corey Bell. Williams noted of the expectations State has for him and he holds those same expectations.
“I talked to Coach Corey Bell a good bit,” Williams recalled. “He’s a great guy and he told me how things are there and about the work I can do there. They expect me to make a big impact at cornerback and so do I.”
Williams has two years of remaining eligibility and this season, the former Baker (Ala.) High School product totaled 29 tackles with 1.5 sacks, 1.5 tackles for loss, one interception (pick six), one forced fumble and four PBUs. In the past two seasons, Williams has combined for 53 tackles, eight PBUs and four tackles for loss.
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Williams only played in four games in 2023 and ended up redshirting that season. Also during his career with the Owls, Williams has returned eight punts for 81 yards and four kickoffs for 40 yards.
While the Bulldogs have struggled this year, Williams expects the program to turn their fortunes around with the incoming recruiting and portal class.
“I see this program taking tremendous strides with Coach (Jeff) Lebby,” remarked Williams. “I think Coach Lebby is just getting started. But this group of guys coming in this year, we’re going to make a big difference.”
Williams also sees a good opportunity for his future on the gridiron. Now he gets to go from Kennesaw State to the nation’s most-talented conference where he will be pushed on a daily basis.
“I feel like this is a great opportunity for me,” Williams noted. “I have two years left so I can come in and play some great football, too. It is the best of the best and I got to compete every day. Every since I got to Mississippi State, I knew it would be them. It just felt like home.”
