Texas A&M Linebacker Scooby Williams Says He’s ‘Fully Healthy’ After Battling Injuries During Disruptive, Frustrating 2024 Season

After a season filled with setbacks, uncertainty, and frustration, Texas A&M linebacker Scooby Williams is finally back where he wants to be: fully healthy and ready to lead the Aggies’ defense in 2025.

The former four-star recruit from Florida arrived in College Station with sky-high expectations. Known for his speed, sideline-to-sideline pursuit, and physical presence in the middle of the field, Williams was once viewed as the future of Texas A&M’s linebacker corps. But that promise was derailed last fall when he suffered multiple injuries that limited his availability, consistency, and production throughout the 2024 campaign.

Now, heading into fall camp, the 6-foot-2, 230-pound junior says he’s 100% healthy — physically, mentally, and emotionally. And with a critical season on the horizon for the Aggies, Williams is eager to prove why he’s still one of the most impactful defenders in the SEC.

“It Was a Tough Year”

Speaking with reporters after a recent offseason workout session, Williams didn’t hold back about the challenges he faced in 2024.

“It was a tough year, no lie,” Williams admitted. “Being in and out of the lineup, not feeling like myself — that’s hard on any athlete. You want to be out there with your brothers every snap, and when your body doesn’t let you, that eats at you.”

Williams sustained a high ankle sprain early in the season, then re-aggravated it during a midseason return. The nagging nature of the injury forced the Aggies’ coaching staff to manage his reps closely, which disrupted his ability to find rhythm in the defense. He ultimately appeared in only six games, recording 28 total tackles, 3.5 tackles for loss, and one sack — far below the standard he had set for himself.

“I’m grateful to the staff for helping me through it, and my teammates always kept me uplifted,” Williams said. “But I never felt like I was really out there at full strength. That’s what I’m excited about now — to finally show the real me again.”

Aggies Counting on His Return

For Texas A&M defensive coordinator Jay Bateman, Scooby Williams’ return to full health is a massive boost heading into the 2025 season. With the Aggies retooling at several positions defensively and trying to improve on last season’s inconsistencies, Williams’ experience and leadership are vital to the program’s ambitions.

“Getting Scooby back is huge,” Bateman said. “He’s a guy who brings energy, intelligence, and toughness to our defense. When he’s healthy, he’s a difference-maker. And now that he’s had a full offseason to recover and train, we expect him to play a major role.”

Williams is expected to resume his starting spot at inside linebacker, anchoring a defense that also includes rising stars like Taurean York, Martrell Harris Jr., and Enai White. Together, they form a unit with speed and versatility — a must in an SEC loaded with mobile quarterbacks and up-tempo offenses.

“He’s one of the most instinctive guys we’ve got,” Bateman added. “And when he’s flying around, making plays, it elevates everyone around him.”

A New Mentality in 2025

While the physical recovery was paramount, Williams said the biggest transformation over the past several months was mental.

“I had to grow up last year,” Williams said. “When you’re healthy and everything’s clicking, it’s easy to play the game. But when you face adversity — that’s when you find out what you’re made of.”

He credits A&M’s sports psychology staff for helping him stay focused and positive during his recovery. Williams also leaned heavily on team leaders and spent hours in the film room — both to stay mentally sharp and to help younger players adapt.

“I told myself, ‘If I can’t be on the field, I’m going to help however I can off of it,’” Williams explained. “Whether it was breaking down film with the guys, being vocal on the sideline, or just supporting dudes — I took pride in that. It made me a better teammate and leader.”

That mindset shift has not gone unnoticed by his coaches and peers. Head coach Mike Elko recently praised Williams for his “maturity and accountability” during the adversity-filled season.

“Scooby’s taken a huge step forward as a leader,” Elko said. “He’s a voice in the locker room. Guys respect him. And when they see him come back after everything he went through — that sets a tone for what we want this program to be.”

Expectations Rising for the Aggies

Texas A&M enters the 2025 season with renewed optimism under Elko’s leadership. After an 8-5 campaign that featured both flashes of brilliance and frustrating inconsistency, the Aggies are aiming to make a serious push in the SEC West — and possibly crash the expanded College Football Playoff party.

To do that, they’ll need their defense to take a leap forward, particularly at the linebacker position. Scooby Williams is a key piece of that puzzle.

“This year is personal,” Williams said with determination. “I want to leave my mark. I want to help this team win. That’s all that matters.”

The Aggies open their season at home against Notre Dame — a marquee Week 1 matchup that will serve as a litmus test for where the team stands. Williams, for his part, is embracing the challenge.

“You don’t want it easy,” he said. “You want to go against the best. That’s how you measure yourself. I’ve worked hard to get back, and I’m ready to show it from the first snap.”

NFL Aspirations Still in Sight

Though injuries briefly clouded his path, Scooby Williams still harbors NFL dreams — and he knows a healthy, dominant season at Texas A&M could re-ignite his pro stock.

“That’s always been the goal,” he admitted. “But you can’t skip steps. Right now, I’m focused on being the best version of myself for this team. If I take care of that, everything else will fall into place.”

Draft analysts previously projected Williams as a Day 2 NFL prospect before the injury bug hit. With his size, athleticism, and experience, he has all the tools to attract scouts once again — especially if he delivers the type of season he envisions.

“Every great linebacker has a bounce-back story,” Williams said. “This is mine.”

Legacy Beyond the Field

Williams also takes pride in the example he’s setting for younger players on the roster — particularly those going through injuries or facing doubt. He frequently reminds them that setbacks are part of the journey.

“Sometimes you’ve got to go through the storm to appreciate the sunshine,” he said. “It’s about how you respond. I want the young guys to know that quitting’s never an option.”

That perspective — forged through hardship — is what makes Scooby Williams such a compelling figure heading into the 2025 college football season. He’s not just back on the field. He’s back with purpose, perspective, and something to prove.

“Adversity doesn’t define you,” Williams said. “How you come back does. And I’m coming back stronger than ever.”