Reese’s Senior Bowl week has been a homecoming for Dacarrion “Mac” McWilliams, in more ways that one.

The former Central Florida cornerback grew up in Pensacola, about an hour from the Senior Bowl site in Mobile. He’s also back in the state where he played the first four years of his college career at UAB.

“Growing up, I only went to one Senior Bowl, I think it was 2015,” McWilliams said. “And I really enjoyed the time, and ever since then I always wanted to be here. So I’m just glad to be here.

I thank (Senior Bowl executive director) Jim Nagy and the staff every time I see them.

“It’s been a great experience, being from 45 minutes up the road. My parents got to see me practice, so it was great.”

McWilliams played his first three years at UAB alongside his older brother, former Blazers defensive lineman Adarius “Fish” McWilliams. (Their cousin, Rocel, was a defensive end at South Alabama from 2017-19.)

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All three McWilliamses were stars on the Pensacola high school scene, Fish and Rocel and West Florida Tech and Mac at Pine Forest. Mac was among the best players in the Florida Panhandle during his senior year in 2019, and followed his brother to UAB.

“UAB was a great experience, playing with my older brother,” McWilliams said. “He taught me a lot of things, just to keep your head down, stay in the course. I became a team leader while I was there, and it was great.”

After redshirting in 2020, McWilliams was a three-year contributor at UAB. He made the Conference USA All-Freshman in 2021, totaled 10 pass breakups and an interception (which he returned for a touchdown) in just seven games in 2022 and was a team captain and 12-game starter in 2023.

But with the Blazers having gone through three head coaches (Bill Clark, Bryant Vincent and Trent Dilfer) in three years by the time his redshirt junior year ended, McWilliams decided to move on. He landed at UCF, where he worked under another head coach with state of Alabama ties, Gus Malzahn.

“Having a coach like Gus, he’s an ‘old head’ and he’s going to do everything right,” McWilliams said. “He’s going to teach you the right way, and he expects you to follow that.”

The 5-foot-10, 181-pound McWilliams totaled 32 tackles, seven tackles for loss, two pass breakups, an interception and a forced fumble in 11 games for the Knights in 2024. He’s been training in the Dallas area since the season ended, flying home to Pensacola this past weekend before making the short drive to Mobile.

McWilliams said his biggest issue this week has been accommodating ticket requests from family and friends who want to come watch him play on Saturday. By all indications, the McWilliams cheering section at Hancock Whitney Stadium should be a sizable one.

“I’ve got to do 60 tickets when I get back up to my room,” McWilliams said. “I hope to put on a good show for them.”

Kickoff for the 2025 Reese’s Senior Bowl is set for 1:30 p.m. Saturday at Hancock Whitney Stadium in Mobile, with television coverage on NFL Network. A limited number of tickets remain for the game and can be purchased at seniorbowl.com/tickets.

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