Jamaal Williams

• #21 RB
• Senior
• BYU
• Hometown: Fontana, CA
• Height: 6-2
• Weight: 220 lbs.

Statistics:

Rushing:

2012: 166/775/12

2013: 217/1233/7
2014: 109/518/4
2016: 165/942/10

Jamaal Williams of BYU is one of a hand full of players that has really burst onto the scene in 2016. Williams has an interesting history of off the field incidents and injuries. He took a redshirt season in 2015 and has returned to BYU a completely different player. This year he is in the top 10 for rushing among all college running backs. He is also the all-time leading rusher at BYU.

Williams has great patience and vision. He also has a good ability to make cuts without losing much of his speed. His speed is extremely impressive for his size. Williams isn’t afraid of contact as you’ll see he takes a couple big hits in this game. Williams also has several really impressive runs in this game. The most impressive is about 2 minutes into the clip. He make an initial cut, finds the whole breaks a would be tackle then puts a side step move on a defensive back and then runs down inside the 10 yard line.

Williams has all the pieces needed to be a successful NFL running back. He has good vision, elusiveness and power. This gives him the ability to break tackles. He is not a stereotypical power back as he is definitely more than just a downhill physically punishing runner. His legs never stop and this allows him to fight for extra yardage. He also has an ability to catch the ball out of the backfield. BYU hasn’t targeted him much this season but if you go back to 2012-13 it is definitely something that Williams can handle.

Jamaal Williams is an extremely hard runner. He is also very fundamentally sound. If you are familiar with Matt Waldman and his RSP Boiler Room, one of the things that he talked about most with Williams is his fundamentals. This includes things like keeping his head up and vision downfield at all times, protecting the football, and being aware of his surroundings.

Williams might get lost in this draft class because of its pedigree, especially at the RB position. However, Williams has a chance to be the gen of this class. Williams probably isn’t going to be drafted on the first two days of the draft but as a mid to late round draft pick he could have ridiculous value and opportunity if he ends up on the right team.

NFL Comparison: Matt Forte