Penn State adds another key in-state prospect in four-star edge rusher Mylachi Williams
Penn State’s search for defensive linemen received a major boost Saturday night with the addition of Philadelphia native Mylachi Williams.
A four-star edge rusher, Williams emerged as a top prospect this past season when he totaled 68 tackles, 28 tackles for loss and 12 sacks for Bonner-Prendergast. At 6-foot-3, 210 pounds, he earned an offer from Penn State just a few months later when he visited for the first time in January. The Nittany Lions were the first Power Five program to make that move.
“An offer from Penn State means everything,” Williams said following his visit in January. “I always watched them growing up and especially with Penn State being close to home is great. I didn’t have any idea [that they were] offering me.”
But that offer also grabbed the attention of top programs across the country. By the time on-campus visits resumed in March, Williams’ offer sheet climbed to nearly 20 schools, including programs like Georgia, Michigan, Notre Dame, Tennessee, Texas A&M and USC. Pitt, Rutgers and West Virginia all hosted Williams for unofficial visits this past winter or spring.
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Notre Dame was expected to host him for an official visit June 2-4, but he ultimately didn’t end up visiting South Bend. Instead, Pitt and Syracuse hosted him for official visits in the second half of June, although it always felt as if the Nittany Lions were the team to beat.
“I know that Notre Dame was high on his list,” said Bonner-Pendegrast head coach Jack Muldoon. “Syracuse did a great job recruiting him. So did Pitt, Rutgers, Texas A&M. Of course, Penn State was the first one and they’ve done a great job, as has everyone else. But Coach [Terry] Smith, Coach [Deion] Barnes, Coach [James] Franklin, they all came down to see him. Gabe Infante, who is an analyst up there, is someone I know well, too. I coached under him at [St. Joseph’s Prep], so we talked a lot as well.
“They’ve all done just a great job throughout this process staying consistent with Mylachi and his family. It was obvious early on that Penn State would be one of his top places. He’s also very close with his mom and grandma, so anywhere that they could get in the car to go see him would be high on the list. They’ve been incredibly supportive of everything he does.”
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According to the On3 Industry Ranking, Williams is ranked No. 323 nationally and is the 21st-ranked edge rusher in the country. Our staff at On3 rates him even higher at No. 205 nationally and 16th overall at the position.
“One thing about Mylachi is that he’s really blessed with a lot of really good things, like his family and friends,” Muldoon said. “He has great people around him. Athletically, I mean, his reach, his length, it’s what you would expect from someone who’s 6-8. He’s also only 16, so he has more growing to do and will graduate as a 17-year-old. I think his potential is limitless. I have no doubt he’ll play well at the next level, whether it’s the SEC, the ACC, the Big Ten or wherever.
“With the kind of coaching he’ll get with those guys, the sky’s the limit. There’s no doubt in my mind that if he stays on track and just continues to progress, he can be drafted. His path has been incredible. He’s got that gene in him. He’s incredibly blessed.”
Penn State is up to 22 commitments in its Class of 2024. Williams is the third defensive lineman to commit, joining Xavier Gilliam and DeAndre Cook.
