The Georgia Bulldogs picked up a major piece to the 2022 puzzle on Wednesday morning. Five-star defensive lineman Mykel Williams (Hardaway; Columbus, Ga.) has flipped his commitment from USC to UGA. Williams gave the Trojans his verbal commitment on June 15 after visiting with his family, but the Georgia staff continued to pursue. That decision ultimately paid off for the Bulldogs. He has made two visits to Athens in the past three weeks and in the end, it was big for him and his family to see the Bulldogs in person.
It was the feeling he gained about Georgia from those visits and several other key factors that made Williams one of 20 names on UGA’s commitment list.
“The relationships I have with coach Dell McGee, coach Tray Scott and how coach Kirby Smart made it feel like home to me,” Williams told Dawgs247 of his decision to flip his commitment. “Georgia was consistent in their recruitment of me. They did not back off when I committed to USC in the summer. That showed me how much they wanted me at the University of Georgia. No one changed at Georgia. There was no fake love from them.”
At 6-foot-5 265 pounds, Williams is ranked as the nation’s No. 29 overall prospect and No. 5 defensive lineman per the industry-generated 247Sports Composite. He’s also the No. 3 player in the Peach State.
A scheme-versatile big man with a projectable frame and one of the longest verified reaches out of any blue-chip prospect in the class of 2022. Carries 265 pounds almost like it’s 245 pounds. Could get up to 280 pounds or more once eating at a college training table, if desired. The type of defensive lineman that just finds ways to impact games. Gets downhill in a hurry and doesn’t waste many – if any – steps. Ability to move laterally allows him to cross the face of blockers and work his way up and down the line scrimmage. More than capable of muscling his way through contact and into the backfield with his above-average play strength, at least at the high school level. Doesn’t give up on many plays and frequently makes stops outside of the hashes. Has learned a few pass-rushing moves, but could always expand the menu. Elite testing numbers also suggest that he could find a little more juice when it counts. Produced as a sophomore and then again as a junior totaling a combined 39 tackles for loss and 29 sacks those two seasons. Has been utilized here and there as a stand-up edge player, but likely to settle in as a three or five-technique in college. Far from a complete product, but has a chance to develop into an all-conference type of player at the Power 5 level that makes things difficult for opposing quarterbacks given his reach. NFL upside. — Andrew Ivins, 247Sports
Williams plans to enroll at Georgia in January. He also says that his recruitment is now over.
“I am done with the recruiting process, it has been stressful, but I feel good about my decision,” he said.”It is a big deal that my family can come see me a lot easier, this is so much closer to home and I really like what Georgia is doing on defense too.”
One player that Williams is very close with and talks daily too, is fellow 2022 prospect and four-star defensive lineman Christen Miller (Cedar Grove; Ellenwood, Ga.)
“Chris is coming to Georgia, I can not lie to you, I am not letting him leave this state,” Williams said.