Mykel Williams among On3's top EDGE players for 2023
On3 released its ranking of the top EDGEs in College Football next season, and Georgia’s Mykel Williams made the list. Headed into his sophomore season, expectations are through the roof for the former five-star on a Bulldog defense that’s once again expected to be one of the best in the country.
As a freshman last year Williams totaled 28 tackles and 31 quarterback hurries in 15 games. That included 6.5 stops behind the line of scrimmage with a team-high 4.5 sacks including one each in the Chick-Fil-A Peach Bowl win over Ohio State and the National Championship Game victory against TCU.
Georgia seemingly churns out elite pass rushers year after year. It’s obvious after the Bulldogs won two straight national championships. Williams played his part last season throughout 15 games in 2022. While he registered just 4.5 sacks and 6.5 tackles for loss, he’ll have a bigger role in 2023. Look out SEC, Georgia has another bonafide quarterback chase and backfield wrecker. – On3
On3, who had him sixth, isn’t the first organization that Williams has impressed. In fact, Pro Football Focus had Williams fifth among top returnees on the edge. Furthermore, PFF’s Max Chadwick did a mock draft that eliminated eligibility rules and had Williams as a first rounder. He was one of just five 2025 prospects to be projected alongside Harold Perkins Jr. (No. 8), Will Johnson (No. 10), Will Campbell (No. 11) and Benjamin Morrison (No. 20).
High upside defensive lineman who is already an outstanding player at the high school level. Has a large frame with plus length (34-inch arms) and large hands (10 inches). Looks lean while carrying 265 pounds. Would not be surprising to see him carry 300 pounds with ease after time in a college strength program. A highly productive and disruptive player in high school for several seasons. Has advanced pass rush ability for a larger prospect. Uses first-step quickness to tee off against opposing offensive tackles. Pairs his high-end quickness with the length and a strong effort level to finish plays behind the line of scrimmage at a high rate. Among the more productive defensive linemen or EDGE prospects in 2022, posting double-digit sacks and at least 17 tackles for loss in all three varsity seasons. Is a younger prospect for the class and won’t turn 18 until the summer of 2022. – On3 Director of Scouting Charles Power on Williams coming out of high school
Williams and the Bulldogs begin spring practice in less than a month on March 14th. Then Kirby Smart and company will put the players through 15 practice sessions including three scrimmages over the course of 30 days. The last of those scrimmages takes the form of a spring game for fans to see at G-Day on April 15th.
The Bulldogs have to replace potential No. 1 overall pick Jalen Carter on this year’s defense along with outside linebackers Robert Beal and Nolan Smith and defensive backs Kelee Ringo and Christopher Smith but are going to be able to do so with the likes of Smael Mondon, Jamon Dumas-Johnson, Kamari Lassiter, Javon Bullard and Malaki Starks back. Last year’s defense lost eight players to the NFL and remained one of the top units in the country. With as many starters returning as they have, plus players like Williams who didn’t even start the majority of games, the task looks a lot less daunting.
