UGA Football DL Mykel Williams Drafted No. 11 by the 49ers in the 2025 NFL Draft

ATHENS - UGA Football defensive lineman Mykel Williams was picked No. 11 overall by the San Francisco 49ers in the 2025 NFL Draft.

Kirby Smart has another defensive player drafted in the first round, and he is the first Georgia Bulldog off the board in this draft. 

Williams projects to be a versatile, hybrid defensive lineman that can use his strength and long arms to play both inside and outside. 

Williams, the former 5-star prospect out of Columbus, Georgia, spent three years at Georgia. He contributed immediately as a true freshman for the Dawgs. He contributed in 2022 with 4.5 sacks en route to helping Georgia win its second national championship in as many seasons. 

The 6’5” and 260-pounder followed that up with 4.5 sacks again and then five this past season. 

He was always viewed as a future first round pick in the NFL Draft, and before the 2024 season started, many thought he was a candidate to be the first overall selection. 
 

Injuries slowed Williams down in his time in Athens. Statistically, he did not really progress from the contributions of his true freshman season. He suffered an ankle injury in the season opener against Clemson back in August and battled to stay healthy throughout the duration of 2024.

His best games came against Georgia’s two matchups against Texas this past season. He recorded two sacks in each of them, and forced a fumble in the game out in Austin. 

Willams opted to only take measurements at the NFL Scouting Combine back in February. At Georgia’s Pro Day in March, he only participated in the 40-yard dash. He clocked a time that waa in the mid to late 4.7-second range.

He did not participate in any sort of workout in front of scouts until last Thursday. He and fellow first round pick Jalon Walker held a private workout where at least half of the league was represented. All he did was positional drills alongside his former teammate. 

Williams is a national champion and an SEC Champion who will take that experience with him to the next level.