What FAMU football’s Cedric Williams learned on internship with Ravens
Florida A&M football assistant coach Cedric Williams went to the NFL.
In June, the Rattlers’ co-offensive coordinator and offensive line coach was selected for the NFL’s Bill Walsh Diversity Coaching Fellowship on the Baltimore Ravens’ staff under head coach John Harbaugh.
The Charleston, South Carolina native spent his stay in Baltimore at the Ravens’ minicamp, working closely with the franchise’s offensive line coach, George Warhop, and assistant offensive line coach Travelle Wharton.
Williams and Wharton were college teammates as starting offensive linemen on the University of South Carolina’s football team. Wharton was also Williams’ best man at his wedding.
It was Williams’ seventh time doing the fellowship.
“It’s a chance to come in and learn under the highest level of football ― the NFL. That’s a goal of mine, someday, to coach in the NFL,” Williams told the Tallahassee Democrat.
“Learning from a top-notch organization was a great experience. It’s a reason why that team is in the top five every year.”
Ravens assistant head coach and running backs coach Willie Taggart called to bring Williams on board.
Alongside practices, Williams sat in on Ravens’ staff meetings and film sessions. He said Ravens offensive coordinator Todd Monken always picked his brain for feedback and observations.
“They made me feel included in meetings. It made me feel appreciated,” Williams said. “There’s a reason why you’re there. They value what you’ve accomplished, want to know what you know and how you can elevate them.”
Cedric Williams to bring lessons from Baltimore Ravens to FAMU football
Williams joined FAMU’s coaching staff this January after spending 2022-2024 as North Carolina Central’s run game coordinator and offensive line coach.
He helped guide NCCU to a Celebration Bowl win in 2022 to claim the Black College Football National Championship and an appearance in the 2023 Football Championship Subdivision playoffs.
Williams’ coaching career dates back to 2006 as a graduate assistant at South Carolina.
However, the nearly 20-year coaching veteran still absorbed new information from the Ravens and Warhop, such as blocking techniques and audibles to implement on the Highest of Seven Hills.
“I am a champion. You got to take pride in that and be confident in who you are,” Williams explained.
“But there are a lot of drills, techniques, and ways they attack defenses that they do. I was writing notes every single day for what I’m going to bring back here. There are some things that we’ll add to make FAMU better. That’s what it’s all about. I’m here to win at FAMU.”
The Ravens furthered Williams’ outlook on increasing players’ chances to reach the NFL.
Interning in Baltimore reunited Williams with second-year Ravens offensive lineman Corey Bullock, who started at left tackle for NCCU’s Celebration Bowl team before finishing his college football career at Maryland.
Williams recalled advising Bullock to add snapping the football to his skillset for a better shot at the NFL. It’s a message he’s now conveying to FAMU’s NCAA All-HBCU offensive lineman Ashton Grable to continue his football career after college.
“He has Sunday potential,” Williams said of Grable. “As a coach, it’s my job to put them in the best position to be successful. FAMU first, but I want that young man to succeed further along, just like I did with Corey.”
FAMU football’s Cedric Williams closely observes Baltimore Ravens’ Lamar Jackson, John Harbaugh
It’s not often that one gets to witness football excellence firsthand.
But Williams did as he spent time around Baltimore quarterback Lamar Jackson.
Williams gave the two-time NFL Most Valuable Player props for his attention to detail and his relationship with the entire offense.
“He’s a student of the game and enjoys himself,” Williams said of the Ravens star quarterback. “He puts in the work, understands the coverages and blitzes, and can make certain checks in a cool, swag way. He’s smooth with it. It’s why he’s won two MVPs.”
Before departing Baltimore, Williams turned in a project on fronts and formations to the Ravens staff for their Week 1 game at the Buffalo Bills, set for Sunday Night Football’s opener on Sept. 7.
Then, he and other fellows spent an hour-long breakfast with Harbaugh to conclude their time as Ravens staffers.
“He said I did a heck of a job and told me they’ll keep me in mind,” Williams recalled his conversation with Harbaugh. “That was a shining moment ― just spending an hour with him.”
Florida A&M Football 2025 Schedule
- Week 1: Saturday, Aug. 30 ― vs. Howard (Orange Blossom Classic at Miami Gardens’ Hard Rock Stadium), 4 p.m., ESPNU
- Week 2: Saturday, Sept. 6 ― at Florida Atlantic, 6 p.m., ESPN Plus
- Week 3: Saturday, Sept. 13 ― vs. Albany State, 7 p.m.
- Week 4: BYE/OPEN WEEK
- Week 5: Saturday, Sept. 27 ― vs. Alabama State (SWAC), 3 p.m.
- Week 6: Saturday, Oct. 4 ― vs. Mississippi Valley State (SWAC/at Atlanta’s Mercedes-Benz Stadium), 4 p.m.
- Week 7: Saturday, Oct. 11 ― vs. North Carolina Central, 3 p.m.
- Week 8: Saturday, Oct. 18 ― vs. Alcorn State (SWAC/Homecoming), 4 p.m.
- Week 9: Saturday, Oct. 25 ― at Southern (SWAC)
- Week 10: Saturday, Nov. 1 ― vs. Jackson State (SWAC), 7 p.m.
- Week 11: Saturday, Nov. 8 ― at Arkansas-Pine Bluff (SWAC), 3 p.m.
- Week 12: Saturday, Nov. 15 ― at Alabama A&M (SWAC), 3 p.m.
- Week 13: Saturday, Nov. 22 ― vs. Bethune-Cookman (SWAC/Florida Classic at Orlando’s Camping World Stadium)
- Saturday, Nov. 29 ― NCAA FCS Playoffs Begin (If Necessary)
- Saturday, Dec. 6 ― SWAC Championship Game (If Necessary)
- Saturday, Dec. 13 ― Celebration Bowl at Atlanta’s Mercedes-Benz Stadium (If Necessary)
- Monday, Jan. 5, 2026 ― NCAA FCS National Championship Game at Nashville’s FirstBank Stadium (If Necessary)
All times listed are in Eastern Standard Time.
Gerald Thomas, III is a multi-time award-winning journalist for his coverage of the Florida A&M Rattlers at the Tallahassee Democrat.
Follow his award-winning coverage on RattlerNews.com and contact him via email at GDThomas@Tallahassee.com or on the app formerly known as Twitter @3peatgee.
