Mykel Williams injury update: Former Georgia star reveals how injured he played during 2024 season

NFL-bound former Georgia pass rusher Mykel Williams revealed he played much of the 2024 season at “60-percent” while dealing with a nagging ankle injury, according to NFL Network insider Ian Rapoport.

Williams, a potential Top 10 overall pick in April’s 2025 NFL Draft, cleared the air about his health during a Wednesday morning media availability at the 2025 NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis, telling reporters he reaggrevated the ankle injury in the Sugar Bowl national quarterfinal loss to Notre Dame. Williams subsequently took a few weeks off after the season to heal in an effort to work out at the Georgia Pro Day in mid-March.

#Georgia edge Mykel Williams, a likely Top 10 pick who thrived despite dealing with an ankle injury that he aggravated in the Sugar Bowl, told reporters today that he played at 60% this year.

He took a few weeks off so the ankle could heal and will work out at his Pro Day. pic.twitter.com/KCMvJOmYor

— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) February 26, 2025

The 6-foot-5, 260-pound Williams ranked third on the Bulldogs roster with 8 1/2 tackles for loss, five sacks — four coming in two games against Texas — and three quarterback hurries in 2024, to go along with 21 total tackles and tied three others with a team-high two forced fumbles.

Joel Klatt mocks Georgia EDGE Mykel Williams to New Orleans Saints in 2025 NFL Draft

Heading into the 2024 season, Mykel Williams was among several players in consideration for the No. 1 overall pick. But while injuries hampered Williams’ production last season, most recent mock drafts still have the Georgia defender being selected in the Top 10 of the 2025 NFL Draft, and FOX’s Joel Klatt is no different.

Klatt believes Williams winds up going No. 9 overall to the New Orleans Saints. Kellen Moore is the franchise’s new head coach and comes from a place where defense was prioritized at the top of the draft — especially when it comes from Georgia.

“Kellen Moore comes over from Philadelphia, where they just made a living drafting Georgia defensive players,” Klatt said. “Low and behold, here’s Mykel Williams, an EDGE player from Georgia who’s 6-5, 265. Almost identical to Josh Sweat. Even though he dealt with some injuries, when he was healthy, he showed the ability to be dominant. In particular in those two Texas games, four sacks total in those two games.

In the last two drafts, Philadelphia has drafted five defensive stars from Georgia. Ranging from defensive tackles in Jordan Davis and Jalen Carter to linebackers Nakobe Dean and Nolan Smith, and defensive back Keele Ringo. All played a massive part in the Eagles recently winning Super Bowl LIX.

Now Williams appears to be among several Bulldog defenders following in their footsteps, and Klatt believes Moore will follow the Eagles’ draft blueprint for turning things around in New Orleans and it all begins with taking Williams at No. 9.

“That Eagles blueprint of drafting Georgia defenders — look at what ultimately paid off,” Klatt said. “A Super Bowl championship there. Kellen Moore comes down to New Orleans, I think he takes Mykel Williams.”

On3’s Griffin McVeigh contributed to this report.