Yet again, we are here talking about another Ohio State prospect who is preparing to hear their name called on draft weekend.
Tyleik Williams was a 4 star recruit out of Virginia and did not disappoint that status once entering the state of Ohio. He was labeled an All American his freshman year, and although may not have lived up to the “all everything” DL he was projected to be, he is still a top end Big 10 defensive player. Missing the majority of September this year, he still has 123 tackles and double-digit sacks from an IDL spot.
Williams has goals of finding himself early in the draft. After his freshman year people were seeing him as a clear cut first rounder. Although times changed and Williams did not quite exponentially grow, the hope of his NFL career still stays high around the scouting world.
PLAYER INFO:
Name: Tyleik Williams
Jersey #: 91
Position: Defensive Line
Schoo: Ohio State
Class: Senior
Height: 6’3″
Weight: 327 lbs
Tyleik Williams Strengths:
Williams has powerful athleticism giving him ability to line up anywhere from a 1 tech to a 4i (inside the OT). Versatility is key with a guy who does not put up elite sack numbers, and he checks that box.
Tyleik has a solid and well technical bull rush move, especially on guards. He uses his leverage well when previously decided he is going to use that move for the betterment of the entire 4–5-man rush.
He is one of the better guys in the class to take on double teams. He obviously has ability to move people off the ball, but his quick step capability allows him to split, get skinny, or knock back one of the double team blockers.
Tyleik Williams Weaknesses:
Tyleik has a habit of sometimes being overaggressive and forget his run gap integrity. He is so focused on knockback; he sometimes leans into the wrong hole leaving his gap assignment.
Williams does not have much counter to his bullrush. At the NFL level he may be able to collapse but not complete the QB pressure. Stronger next level guys will also notice this on film and lower their level and bounce back faster.
This guy can show high pad level, which leads to far more assisted tackles than solos, will be harder to remain in power at the National Football League and will eliminate bull rush ability as a counter move.
Draft Projection:
Williams shows solid ability, and in a league trending back toward running QBs and power offense in 2024, he can be of value. I see a limited ceiling on a shorter arm IDL, but with his versatility and solid ability to make a pocket uncomfortable, he should find his way into that mid-late second round range.
I see these mid round 2 teams like the Cowboys and Cardinals having serious interest in a guy like Williams. I see his reasonable projection being a guy like Poona Ford. He may not be flashy, but he will get 80% of 1st and 2nd down snaps and can provide pass rush off play action.
Williams is a safe bet for many teams, and in a league desperate for IDL talent nowadays, he may be alright after all. Top end CFP performances can help in that capacity too.
