Mykel Williams wins National Defensive Player of the Year from Maxwell Club
Incoming Georgia freshman and 2022 five-star signee Mykel Williams was named the National Defensive High School Player of the Year Thursday by the Maxwell Football Club.
The Maxwell Football Club National High School Player of the Year award was established in 2007, and former winners include Heisman Trophy winners Derrick Henry and Bryce Young, both of whom also won the Maxwell Award while in college. Williams’ teammate next season in Athens, Nolan Smith also won the Defensive Player of the Year award coming out of IMG Academy in 2019.
During his senior season at Hardaway High School in Columbus, Ga., Williams totaled 81 tackles including 20.5 for loss and 12.5 sacks in 10 games played. He also caught two passes for 36 yards and a touchdown playing on the offensive side of the ball for the Hawks, who went 6-5 and lost in the first round of the GHSA 4-A playoffs.
Williams also showcased his talents at the Adidas All-American Bowl, posting three tackles for loss for the East team.
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On3 Director of Scouting Charles Power wrote the following when evaluating Williams:
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.
Williams likely will have an opportunity to earn early playing time this spring as an early enrollee. Georgia loses Travon Walker off the edge on the defensive line and depth is a question at outside linebacker. Williams could play either of those positions at 6-foot-5, 261 pounds, and adding weight in all likelihood upon arrival on campus. The No. 4 ranked player according to On3 Sports, and No. 21 per the industry-wide On3 Consensus Rankings, Williams will team up with fellow five-stars Malaki Starks, Marvin Jones Jr., Jaheim Singletary and Daylen Everette on the defensive side of the ball in the Bulldogs’ third-ranked 2022 signing class.
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