Mykel Williams, the former Georgia Bulldog, is prepared to demonstrate his abilities at the NFL combine.
The NFL Combine is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for college football players to showcase their physical talents, mental acuity, and overall readiness for the next level of competition. For Mykel Williams, a standout former defensive lineman for the Georgia Bulldogs, this moment marks a significant step toward securing his place in the NFL Draft. Williams, known for his explosive athleticism and dominant play on the defensive line, will enter the Combine with a strong resume built during his time in Athens, Georgia. His performance at the Combine could have a lasting impact on his draft stock and help determine the direction of his professional career.
Georgia has long been one of the most dominant programs in college football, and Williams was a major contributor to the Bulldogs’ national championship victory in 2022. Known for his relentless motor, versatility, and natural pass-rushing ability, Williams has shown himself to be one of the top defensive prospects in the nation. However, while Williams has the physical tools to succeed at the next level, the NFL Combine will give him the chance to prove to NFL scouts that he can translate his college success into professional dominance.
As Williams prepares for this critical evaluation, the stakes couldn’t be higher. His performance in front of coaches, general managers, and scouts will go a long way toward determining where he will be selected in the 2025 NFL Draft. Here, we will break down Williams’ strengths, areas to improve, and what he needs to demonstrate at the Combine in order to solidify his status as one of the top defensive prospects available.
1. Mykel Williams’ Background and College Career at Georgia
Before diving into what Williams can expect at the Combine, it’s essential to understand his background and why he has become one of the most highly regarded defensive prospects in this year’s draft class. Williams made a name for himself at Columbus High School in Columbus, Georgia, where he became one of the most sought-after defensive recruits in the country. His size, strength, and quickness made him a nightmare for high school offensive linemen, and his ability to disrupt the quarterback’s rhythm earned him accolades across the state.
Upon joining Georgia in 2022, Williams immediately made an impact. He was part of a stacked defensive line that helped the Bulldogs capture back-to-back national championships in 2022 and 2023. Despite sharing the spotlight with other elite talents, Williams consistently stood out with his ability to rush the passer, stop the run, and set the edge. Over the course of his college career, Williams developed a reputation as a high-energy player who could dominate against both the run and pass.
In his sophomore season, Williams took a noticeable step forward, becoming one of the key figures on Georgia’s defense. His combination of size, power, and agility made him a difficult matchup for offensive linemen. Over the course of the 2023 season, Williams accumulated 8.5 sacks, 15 tackles for loss, and 3 forced fumbles, further solidifying his status as one of the top pass-rushers in college football.
Williams was praised for his ability to line up at multiple spots on the defensive line, showcasing his versatility and making him a threat to opposing offenses in various ways. Whether he was lined up as a defensive tackle or an edge rusher, Williams displayed the skills needed to be disruptive in any role. This versatility is something that will undoubtedly play to his advantage during the Combine, as NFL teams are constantly looking for players who can make an impact in multiple schemes.
2. The NFL Combine: A Pivotal Moment for Williams’ Draft Stock
The NFL Combine is an opportunity for players like Mykel Williams to showcase their physical attributes, mental preparedness, and football IQ in a controlled environment. This event is essential for players who want to increase their draft stock or solidify their status as first-round picks. The Combine features a series of drills designed to test strength, speed, agility, endurance, and overall athleticism.
For a player like Williams, who relies heavily on his athleticism to disrupt opposing offenses, the Combine will serve as an opportunity to demonstrate his explosiveness, power, and quickness. While his college tape has already shown his ability to perform at the highest level of college football, the Combine gives NFL coaches and scouts a firsthand look at how he stacks up against other elite prospects in terms of raw athleticism.
Here’s a breakdown of the key areas where Mykel Williams could impress at the NFL Combine:
A. Physical Testing: The 40-Yard Dash and Vertical Jump
While Williams’ primary responsibility is to disrupt plays on the defensive line, his ability to move explosively is just as important in showcasing his readiness for the NFL. One of the most talked-about drills in the Combine is the 40-yard dash, which measures a player’s top-end speed over a short distance. Although defensive linemen aren’t generally expected to run 40 yards in a straight line during games, a fast 40-yard dash time can indicate a player’s overall explosiveness, which is a key factor for pass rushers.
For Williams, running a sub-5.0-second 40-yard dash would be considered a strong performance, given his size (around 6-foot-5 and 275 pounds). His speed off the line of scrimmage can translate to his ability to get to the quarterback quickly, and showing this at the Combine will reinforce the potential he has as a pass rusher at the next level.
Additionally, Williams’ vertical jump will be another important drill for showcasing his explosiveness. This test measures a player’s ability to generate power through his legs and leap off the ground. As a pass rusher, the ability to get off the ground quickly and leap over blockers to get to the quarterback is invaluable. A strong vertical jump would suggest Williams has the necessary explosive power to be a consistent presence on the edge.
B. Agility Drills: 3-Cone Drill and Shuttle
While size and strength are important, the ability to move laterally and change direction quickly is just as crucial for defensive linemen, especially those who rush the passer. The 3-cone drill and shuttle drills are key measures of agility and quickness in tight spaces, both of which are vital for Williams to demonstrate his ability to win off the edge.
The 3-cone drill evaluates a player’s ability to make sharp, quick turns and change direction while maintaining control of his body. Williams’ ability to perform well in this drill will demonstrate his quickness and lateral agility, which are essential for shedding blockers and getting to the quarterback.
Similarly, the shuttle drill will help show Williams’ ability to move in short bursts while keeping his balance and control. For a pass rusher, lateral quickness is crucial when trying to outmaneuver offensive linemen and change direction to track down the ball carrier or sack the quarterback.
C. Strength and Power: Bench Press and One-on-One Drills
In addition to his agility, Mykel Williams will need to showcase his strength. The bench press is a key drill that measures upper body strength. While it’s not as important for defensive linemen as it is for offensive linemen, Williams will still be expected to put up a strong showing. A bench press of 20+ reps at 225 pounds would demonstrate his ability to engage with blockers and shed offensive linemen during pass-rushing situations.
The one-on-one drills, where defensive linemen go head-to-head against offensive linemen, will be where Williams can truly display his power and technique. These drills will allow Williams to show how he uses his strength, hand placement, and leverage to defeat blockers, all while demonstrating his ability to generate power in close-quarter situations.
3. Mykel Williams’ Key Strengths and Areas for Improvement
As Williams prepares for the Combine, it’s important to analyze his key strengths and areas where he could continue to improve. This will give a clearer picture of how his performance at the Combine could impact his draft stock.
A. Strengths
- Versatility: Williams’ ability to line up in multiple positions on the defensive line makes him a valuable asset to NFL teams. His ability to rush the passer from the edge or collapse the pocket as an interior lineman makes him a desirable prospect for defenses that value flexibility and adaptability.
- Motor and Work Ethic: Williams plays with a relentless motor and doesn’t take plays off. His effort and intensity are often evident, and this is a quality that NFL teams love to see in their defensive players. His motor allows him to be disruptive even when plays break down or don’t go as planned.
- Pass-Rushing Ability: Williams has an excellent ability to generate pressure on the quarterback. His quickness off the line, combined with his powerful hands, makes him a formidable pass rusher who can disrupt both the pocket and the timing of the opposing offense.
B. Areas for Improvement
- Consistency with Technique: While Williams is a gifted athlete, his pass-rushing technique can be inconsistent. At the Combine, Williams will need to demonstrate that he has refined his hand placement, footwork, and approach to defeating blockers.
- Football IQ: In the NFL, defensive linemen need to be highly intelligent to read plays and react quickly. While Williams has shown flashes of high-level instincts, continuing to develop his football IQ will be crucial as he transitions to the next level.
4. The Road to the NFL: What’s Next for Mykel Williams?
After the Combine, Mykel Williams will have private workouts, interviews, and additional opportunities to prove himself to NFL teams. The post-Combine evaluation period is just as crucial, as teams will want to see how Williams responds to individual drills, interviews, and his pro day. His Combine performance, coupled with his college tape, will determine how he ranks among other top defensive linemen heading into the NFL Draft.
Williams’ Bright Future in the NFL
Mykel Williams has the potential to be a disruptive force in the NFL. With his athleticism, strength, and versatility, he is well-equipped to make an immediate impact at the next level. As he prepares for the NFL Combine, the stakes couldn’t be higher, but Williams’ combination of skills and relentless work ethic suggests that he will be ready for the challenge.
The Combine will provide Williams with an opportunity to show that he belongs among the elite
defensive prospects in the upcoming draft. With a strong showing, he could solidify his status as a top-tier defensive line prospect and take the next step toward what promises to be a successful NFL career.
