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Georgia

Mykel Williams named amongst PFF's top returning EDGE in 2022

On3 imageby: Jake Rowe02/20/23JakeMRowe
On3 image
Tony Walsh/UGA Sports Communications

The Georgia defense needed all hands on deck going into the 2022 season. It had just lost five first-rounders to the 2022 NFL Draft with three more getting picked in the later rounds. That meant some freshmen, like Mykel Williams, would be asked to play right away.

Williams was charged for helping offset the loss of No. 1 overall pick Travon Walker, and he did a very good job. With a sack in each in the Chick-Fil-A Peach Bowl win over Ohio State and the National Championship game over TCU, Williams led the team in sacks with 4.5. He also had 5.5 stops for loss and started a couple of games.

His showing was enough to impress Pro Football Focus. The analystics-based site has Williams as the No. 5 returning EDGE defender for the 2023 season.

“As just a true freshman, Williams started for a defense that went on to win the national championship. 

The former five-star recruit’s 75.9 run-defense grade ranked fourth among SEC edge defenders and led all FBS true freshmen edge defenders. Williams’ six sacks tied for the most among true freshmen while his 33 pressures were tied for the second-most. He’s one of the biggest breakout candidates for the back-to-back champions next season.”

Williams as a prospect…

It comes as no surprise that Williams stepped up right away. He was one of over a dozen early enrollees from Georgia’s 2022 class and he got a chance to learn during the spring.

Williams was also the crown jewel of the Bulldog’s haul. He was the No. 6 overall prospect and No. 2 defensive lineman in that class per the industry-generated, equally-weighted On3 Consensus. He was the No. 2 prospect in Georgia.

The On3 stand-alone rankings, however, liked Williams even more. There he was the nation’s No. 2 overall prospect, No. 1 defensive lineman, and No. 1 player in Georgia.

“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 Scouting

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