Viktor
Well-known member
- Mar 19, 2019
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Summary: Williams started and ended his Alabama career early. The native of Folsom, California, opted to enroll in college in January 2016. The five-star recruit who ranked in the top 25 of national overall rankings made good on his head start, earning the starting right tackle spot that fall.
In 2017, the Crimson Tide shifted Williams to left tackle to fill the void left by Cam Robinson, who was selected by Jacksonville with the 34th overall pick of the 2017 NFL Draft. Williams didn’t blink and continued to improve his game, helping Alabama win the College Football Playoff national championship.
Alabama returned to the title tilt again at the end of the 2018 season but fell to Clemson for the second time in three seasons.
ESPN draft analyst Mel Kiper, Jr., has projected Williams to the Vikings in mock drafts before and after the 2019 NFL Scouting Combine, including his third edition that was released this week. Kiper commented on Williams’ performance against the Tigers in January.
Stacking up (before the combine): Draft analyst Dane Brugler, who writes for The Athletic, has Williams as the top tackle in this year’s class. NFL Media analyst Bucky Brooks ranked Williams as the second-best tackle before the combine and nudged him to third after the combine.
NFL Media analyst Daniel Jeremiah slid Williams down four spots from 15 to 19 after the combine and is projecting him to play guard in the NFL because of a lack of length that “does show up on tape.” Jeremiah noted “outstanding feet in the passing game” and said Williams is “dominant in the run game.”
“I love his awareness and toughness,” Jeremiah wrote. “Overall, Williams is an excellent prospect and has a chance to be a Pro Bowl guard early in his career.”
Making the grade: According to his profile by the Alabama media relations department (rolltide.com), Williams missed only three assignments in 920 snaps at left tackle, did not allow a sack and surrendered just three pressures in 2018. He also graded out at 90 percent or higher in 14 of 15 games.
Analytics site Pro Football Focus counted just five sacks on 1,332 career pass block snaps and issued overall grades of 76.2 in 2016, 76.9 in 2017 and 89.2 in 2018.