Featured Report: Get to Know Georgia Defensive End Mykel Williams

Featuring Georgia Bulldog's Defensive End Mykel Williams Dad John Johnson

The best defender in the nation resides in Georgia once again. Incoming sophomore Mykel Williams was incredible down the stretch for the Bulldogs last season, on his way to being named a freshman All-American.

This success didn't happen overnight. Hard work and preparation have led Williams to be in the position he is in today. "There were a lot of those late nights at the gym in high school," his father, John Johnson, remembers. "He had a real passion for the game and was willing to do what was required."

Growing up, Williams played football, basketball and wrestling. Many thought he'd end up focusing on basketball, but he gravitated toward football. He started Pop Warner in fifth grade, playing along the offensive and defensive lines throughout middle school.

As a freshman in high school, Williams started two games at offensive tackle for Hardaway High School. He had success but felt like defensive end was where he fit best on the field. Johnson encouraged his son to have a conversation with Hardaway's head coach about a position change. He approved and Williams went to work.

"He had always been a weight room warrior and a student of his craft, so we just started training," Johnson said. "Initially, we followed every defensive line instructional video we could find on Twitter. We purchased the hand guards, cones and everything else and worked all summer long."

Unfortunately, adversity struck, as Williams had a patella strain that sidelined him for the first few games of his sophomore campaign. Johnson recalls, "He's really strong mentally because he's grounded and disciplined. I told him it was all part of the process; injuries are going to happen. He trusted and believed in the process."

Against Hardaway's cross-town rival in his return, Williams had two sacks. He wasn't in game shape and it was his first game at defensive end at the high school level. That was the start of an excellent season. Williams finished with 18 tackles for a loss and ten sacks on the season.

The production was off the charts for a sophomore but what really separated Williams was what he was doing off the field. Johnson noted, "He was constantly studying his film and his opponents' film too. He'd watch extensively on weekends." Williams always made time for the extra things in high school.

It wasn't just film. "He lifted weights at home in addition to school. Mykel would get up in the morning and run before school. He understood his strengths but recognized his weaknesses and took time to improve those."

This special work ethic led Williams to record a total of 49.5 tackles for a loss and 29.5 sacks over the course of his junior and senior seasons. Those numbers don't tell the whole story, though. Being the focal point of the Hardaway defense, Williams was met with constant double and triple teams, with offenses focusing on trying to stop him.

Top players are usually on teams with other great players, so they are left with a lot of one-on-one or favorable situations. That wasn't the case with Williams, who had to work that much harder to make players.

In addition to training on his own, Williams also worked closely with renowned trainer Chuck Smith, who now works with the Ravens. There, Williams learned how to win with both finesse and power while improving his overall understanding of the position. Rather than just learning, Williams would apply the moves he'd learn in practice and then games to be able to win in a multitude of ways.

Everything that Williams brought to the table enticed college teams. He picked up his first two offers from Tennessee and Troy in 2019. That was just the beginning. Williams finished high school with offers from all the blue bloods in college football. He chose Georgia, where his talent and work ethic were on full display last season as a freshman.

In Georgia's semi-final win against Ohio State, he beat first-round pick Paris Johnson Jr. for a big sack. He had the most success out of any defensive end against Johnson Jr. all season. Williams followed it up with another sack in the National Championship against a very good TCU offensive line.

The film backed up his success, as his pass rush plan, athleticism and power were well beyond his years. He is following in the footsteps of the great Georgia edge defenders, such as Travon Walker and Nolan Smith. By the end of the 2023 season, expect Williams to be a household name, an All-American and the best defender in the country.

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