Skip to main content

OVERVIEW

Williams led the Cougars in rushing in all four seasons in which he played, even though he has had off-field and injury issues during his time in Provo. The all-state pick from California played immediately as a true freshman, starting eight games and rushing for 755 yards and 12 touchdowns on 166 carries. He also added 315 yards and a touchdown on 27 receptions. Williams was an FBS All-Independent team pick as the full-time starter in 2013, gaining 1,233 yards and scoring seven times on 217 totes (18-125 receiving). His junior season was derailed by a knee injury and suspension for multiple team code violations, including an underage drinking citation. He rushed for 518 yards and four scores in seven games that year, still leading the team in rushing. Williams sat out the 2015 season entirely after withdrawing from school for personal reasons, always intending to return for his senior season the following fall. He carried the mail for the Cougars 234 times in 2016, accumulating 1,375 yards and scoring 12 times, though he missed three games with an ankle injury. He finished fifth in the country with 137.5 yards per game last fall, in part thanks to a 287-yard, five-touchdown effort against Toledo before the ankle injury occurred.

ANALYSIS

STRENGTHS

Carries NFL size with a muscular build and good height. Able to bend at point of impact and attack with decent leverage. Uses his stiff arm as a weapon to escape tackles on an angle. Decisive runner. Sees it and goes. Not into dancing. Has a functional spin move he uses to spin out of tackles and grind out a few extra yards. Keeps his feet churning through contact. Above average ball security with a fumble rate of 140 (one fumble every 140 carries).

WEAKNESSES

Bulls through running lanes crashing into blockers rather than shifting with the contours. Doesn't have athleticism to create early yardage for himself. Missing a functional jump cut for sudden shift from gap to gap once line of scrimmage muddies. Hit or miss with run lanes he chooses. Excessive forward lean creates issues with contact balance. Too easily felled by arm tackles. Banger, but not a tackle breaker. Doesn't have the speed to turn the corner when runs spill outside.

DRAFT PROJECTION

Rounds 4-5

SOURCES TELL US

"He's not very dynamic as a runner so he needs to carve out a niche for himself as a physical backup who can go cover on kickoffs. He hasn't been a special teams guy but he better start." - AFC West regional scout

NFL COMPARISON

Stepfan Taylor

BOTTOM LINE

His NFL size and physical nature give him a shot to make the back-end of the running back depth chart, but his inability to create for himself with broken tackles and elusiveness puts a ceiling on his draft value.

 

PLAYER OVERVIEW

STRENGTHS WEAKNESSES

STRENGTHS: Shows lateral agility and surprising balance for a back with his high-cut frame. Impressive power for his build, consistently generating yardage after contact. Keeps his legs churning and spins out of tackles, falling forward to rack up extra yards.

 

His acceleration comes naturally. His mother was a standout sprinter at UCLA and he ran for the BYU track team in 2014.

 

--Rob Rang (9/14/14)

Great ideas rooted in love.(R)

Last edited by Rusty
Original Post

Replies sorted oldest to newest

I like Williams but I think it's a round too early for him.  Ted apparent is only interested in 40 time on defense.  Williams is a pretty average athlete but tough lunch-pail runner.  Thing that makes me think he was picked a round too early is all the leg injuries, he's been banged up a lot.  Considering Mack, McNichols, Hill, Gallman were all still on the board in addition to Williams...I would have waited.  Wouldn't have been a bad time to go receiver (Chad Hansen, Jehu Chesson).

From BYU insider: 
 

Outlook:  Jamaal Williams is one of the most accomplished running backs in the history of BYU football.  Yet despite his accomplishments and charisma, the 6-foot-0 212 pound back was only projected to slide in under-the-radar as a mid-round pick in the 2017 NFL draft as recently as just a few short months ago. That’s because the 2017 NFL running back class is one of the deepest and strongest classes ever.  High profile backs Dalvin Cook, Christian McCaffrey, and Leonard Fournette were projected to push Williams down the draft board, so rather than being a solid second or third round pick, it seemed Williams would slip to late third or early fourth round.  However, with a solid senior bowl week, a respectable NFL combine, and a fantastic Pro Day. Williams is projected by many to be a second or third round pick.

Senior Bowl:  Williams was named the top practice player at running back during the week and finished the bowl game with a team-high eight carries for 29 yards (3.6 avg), to go along with two receptions for nine yards, a tackle on the opening kickoff, and another one on an interception return.  He spent time meeting with the Chicago Bears during the week.

NFL Combine: ran the 40-yard dash in 4.59 seconds (which was 17th for running backs), 7.25 in the 3 cone drill (10th), and 4.53 in the 20 yard shuffle (14th).  He also finished seventh among running backs with a broad jump of 123 inches, had a 30-inch vertical leap (23rd), and did not participate in the bench press.  While at the combine he met with the Detroit Lions, and San Diego Chargers

BYU Pro Day: ran the 40-yard dash in 4.53 seconds, did 18 reps on the bench, and jumped 33 inches in the vertical jump.

What experts are saying/Projections:

“Jamaal Williams is a talented running back who deserves more attention from the NFL draft community.“ – Jon Dove, With the First Pick

“I’m fascinated by where he might go. You could make the argument that after Fournette and Cook that he might be the third best back in this draft classâ€Ķ I think that Jamaal Williams could be an NFL player for a very long time.” – Eric Galko, Optimum Scouting

“Jamaal Williams is mighty impressive. His lower-body power stands out on film, and he runs incredibly hard. He handles a heavy workload, and is both slippery and fast enough to break away from defenses with his long strides.” – Henry Payne, NFL Mocks

“As a prospect, he has special lower body power, driving through tacklers for extra yards. He’s not just a ‘power’ back, though, as he’s forced a nation-leading 35 missed tackles this season (PFF Premium). That’s nearly six missed tackles forced per game, an absurd rate.” – Connor Rogers, Today’s Pigskin

“Williams is one of the most overlooked RBs in a deep class. He’s a Day 2 talent, but will likely land early on Day 3 due to the depth in the class and lack of exposure.” Jonathan Valencia, BreakingFootball.com

“I think his game translates very well at the next levelâ€Ķ I gave him a third-round grade when I studied him on tape, but he will probably go lower than that because of the depth of the running back class.” – Daniel Jeremiah, NFL Media analyst

“Jamaal Williams has the perfect combination of elusiveness and power.  Knows when to cut and when to fight through contact.”  Tyler Brooke, NFL Draft analyst who called Williams the “nation’s most overlooked college running back” and list him as the third best RB in the nation

“It is hard to see Williams falling into the late rounds. Even without top tier athletic ability and him having injury history, Williams is too consistent of a back that a team will not want to snatch him up before day two ends. Even in a stacked running back class, Williams does enough to establish himself among the ten best backs this draft.” – Ben Natan, Bleeding Green Nation

“Williams has only fumbled four times during his career and it is clear why. He carries the ball with perfect technique, switching arms when necessary and covering up when contact is imminent.” – Henry Payne, NFL Mocks

Positives:

  • Has good acceleration in the open field (ran on BYU track team in 2014)
  • Effective going downhill, generates good yardage after contact, keeps his legs moving forward
  • Very good agility and balance
  • Impressive power, breaks a lot of tackles, and falls forward when being tackled
  • Shows patience, doesn’t fumble, is a willing pass blocker
  • Is smart, has tendency to switch ball to sideline arm

Negatives:

  • Suffered a knee injury at the end of 2014, and missed three games in 2016 with injuries
  • Was suspended for 2014 season opener for being on the scene of underage drinking
  • Sat out 2015 due to “personal issues” (reportedly a “dormitory indiscretion”)
  • Wasn’t used much as a receiver, only one career touchdown reception (made in 2012)
  • Needs to work on his pass protection
  • Does not possess home run speed

Biography (BYU Profile):
Hometown: Fontana, California
High School: Summit
Recruitment: 3-stars (recruited by Arizona State, Boise State, Idaho, New Mexico State, Oregon, San Diego State, UCLA, Utah)
NFL Combine measurable: Height: 6’0”; Weight: 212 lbs.; Arm Length 31 1/4”; Hands 10”

YEAR (GP)RUSH YDSRUSH TDSRUSH AVGREC YDS
2012 (13)775124.67315
2013 (12)123375.68125
2014 (7)51544.6847
2016 (10)1165115.6080
Total (42)3901345.4567

College Highlights and Awards:

  • BYU career leader rusher (3901 yards) on 682 carries (5.2 YPC), 4 fumbles
  • BYU single game rushing leader (286 yards vs Toledo)
  • BYU freshman records for rushing yards (775), carries (166), and touchdowns (12)
  • 2013 FBS All-Independent Team, Doak Walker Award preseason watch list
  • 2014, 2016 Maxwell Award watch list
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Add Reply

Post
×
×
×
×
Link copied to your clipboard.
×