James Smith-Williams Bio
James Smith-Williams is an American professional football linebacker in the National Football League (NFL). Born on July 30, 1997, in Raleigh, North Carolina, he played college football at North Carolina State University before being selected by the Washington Football Team in the seventh round of the 2020 NFL Draft. After spending his first four professional seasons in Washington, he joined the Atlanta Falcons in 2024 and continues his career as a defensive contributor in the league.
Early Life and Background
James Smith-Williams was born and raised in Raleigh, North Carolina, where he attended Millbrook High School. Growing up in the capital city of North Carolina, he developed an early interest in football and quickly established himself as a promising defensive prospect at the high school level. His physical tools and motor drew the attention of several college programs before he finished his prep career.
As a senior, Smith-Williams was rated as a three-star recruit, which reflected his combination of size and potential rather than national hype. He drew scholarship offers from programs including Appalachian State, Boston College, and James Madison, among others. He ultimately chose to stay close to home and committed to North Carolina State, where he would spend the next five years developing his game.
Path to American Football
Smith-Williams arrived at NC State in 2015 and worked his way into the defensive rotation over time. He became a more consistent presence on the field during the 2018 season, posting 36 tackles, nine tackles for loss, and six sacks across the year. Those numbers established him as an ascending pass rusher and edge defender within the Wolfpack’s defensive scheme.
His 2019 season was shortened by injury, limiting him to seven games, but he still finished his college career with strong overall production. Across his time at NC State, he played in 29 games and recorded 82 tackles, 12 tackles for loss, eight sacks, and three pass deflections. He also graduated with a degree in business supply chain management, which set him up for a future internship opportunity at IBM focused on robotic animation.
James Smith-Williams Career
Early Career (2020)
James Smith-Williams was selected by the Washington Football Team in the seventh round, 229th overall, of the 2020 NFL Draft. He signed his four-year rookie contract on July 22, 2020, and began his professional career working primarily as a rotational defensive end. His rookie year was spent adjusting to the speed and physicality of the professional level while contributing on special teams and in spot defensive packages.
Through his first two seasons in Washington, he continued to develop under the team’s defensive coaching staff and waited for an opportunity to take on a larger role. That opportunity came in 2021 when injuries along the defensive line forced him into the starting lineup. By the end of his rookie contract, he had proven he could hold his own against NFL offensive tackles, setting the stage for a more prominent role with the Commanders.
Washington Commanders Breakthrough (2021–2023)
Smith-Williams recorded his first career start in Week 10 of the 2021 season, filling in for an injured Montez Sweat at defensive end. The following week, he and defensive tackle Daron Payne sealed a victory over the Carolina Panthers by sacking quarterback Cam Newton on fourth down late in the fourth quarter. That sequence against Carolina served as one of the early signature moments of his professional career, showcasing his ability to impact a game in critical situations.
He was placed on the COVID-19 reserve list in December 2021 and missed a Week 14 game against the Dallas Cowboys, but he was reactivated the following week. In 2022, he started 14 games in place of Chase Young, who was recovering from an ACL tear, and finished the season with 23 total tackles, one pass deflection, and three sacks. That production confirmed his value as a reliable rotational starter at the NFL level.
Before Week 9 of the 2023 season, Smith-Williams was elevated into the starting lineup after Washington traded both Chase Young and Montez Sweat. Taking on a featured role, he delivered consistent play for the remainder of the year. His performance during this stretch cemented his reputation as a dependable edge defender and led to new opportunities in free agency the following offseason.
Atlanta Falcons Era (2024–Present)
On April 10, 2024, James Smith-Williams signed with the Atlanta Falcons, beginning a new chapter in his professional career. The move gave him a chance to step into a defined role on Atlanta’s defensive front and contribute to a young team in the middle of a defensive rebuild. He brought veteran experience to a rotation that valued his track record of playing in both base and pass-rushing situations.
Through his first season with the Falcons, he continued to add to his career totals, which include 109 tackles, eight sacks, and two pass deflections. His reliability along the defensive line helped stabilize a unit adjusting to new personnel. Heading into the next season, he remains a part of Atlanta’s defensive plans as a versatile edge defender and run-stopper.
Notable Events and Milestones
One of the defining moments of James Smith-Williams’ career came in 2021, when he and Daron Payne combined to sack Cam Newton on fourth down to seal a Washington win over Carolina. His 14 starts in 2022, while filling in for Chase Young, also stand out as a major milestone that confirmed his value as an every-down defender. Reaching 100 career tackles during his time with the Falcons further marked his growth into a steady NFL contributor.
James Smith-Williams Career Wins
James Smith-Williams has not built his reputation around gaudy win totals, but his career has been defined by key defensive stops and disruptive plays. His most celebrated performances include the late fourth-down sack of Cam Newton in 2021 and a string of sturdy starts in 2022 that helped keep Washington competitive during a difficult season. As a rotational piece for the Atlanta Falcons, his contributions are measured in pressures, tackles for loss, and situational execution rather than headline numbers.
Other Wins and Performances
Beyond his highlight-reel moments, Smith-Williams has earned recognition for his durability, special teams work, and ability to step into larger roles when called upon. His college career at NC State, which featured a six-sack season in 2018, laid the foundation for his professional profile. Across stops in Washington and Atlanta, he has continued to deliver steady production as a defensive end in both run defense and pass-rush situations.
James Smith-Williams Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Details about James Smith-Williams’ immediate family are limited in publicly available sources, and he has not been widely profiled for his family background. What is clear is that he grew up in Raleigh, North Carolina, and attended Millbrook High School, where he developed into a college recruit. He has generally kept his personal and family life private throughout his professional career.
Personal Life
During his time at NC State, Smith-Williams served as an intern for IBM, specializing in robotic animation, and earned a degree in business supply chain management. The company extended him a job offer to follow his football career. Off the field, he has maintained a low public profile and focused on his development as a professional athlete and on his interests outside of football.
2025 Season Performance
Looking ahead to the 2025 season, James Smith-Williams is expected to remain part of the Atlanta Falcons’ defensive rotation as a veteran edge presence. The Falcons are likely to lean on his experience as they continue to shape their defensive identity and develop younger players around him. His role will probably continue to balance run defense, spot pass-rush duties, and situational third-down work.
For Smith-Williams, the 2025 campaign represents an opportunity to build on his career totals of 109 tackles and eight sacks while staying healthy and productive into his sixth professional season. With his contract situation and roster spot tied to his on-field performance, consistency will be the key theme of the year. A strong showing could also position him for an extended future in Atlanta or attract interest from other teams in the seasons to come.