Derek Williams Jr. S Texas | NFL Draft Profile & Scouting Report
Derek Williams Jr. S Texas
NFL Draft Profile & Scouting Report
| ROLE: Zone Slot/Nickel Safety | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Last Updated: 09/27/2024 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Draft Year: 2026 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 40 time: 4.50 seconds (73%*) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Age: 19.11 DOB: 01/06/2005 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| ROLE: Zone Slot/Nickel Safety | |
| Last Updated: 09/27/2024 | |
| Draft Year: 2026 | |
| 40 time: 4.50 seconds (73%*) | |
| Age: 19.11 DOB: 01/06/2005 | |
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| Overall Rating: | 74.0 / 100 | |
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| Average rating of opposition Offense player has faced | ||
| Offense Rating: |
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80% |
| Click the links below to view how player ranks vs other prospects. | ||
| QB Rating When targeted: | 63.5 | |
| Tackling: |
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81% |
| Run Defense: |
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84% |
| Coverage: |
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72% |
| Zone: |
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68% |
| Man/Press: |
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73% |
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DRAFT PROJECTION:
7th
Overall Rank:
#242
Position rank:
#35
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| College Games: 17 College Snaps: 495 | ||
ESPN RATING: 86/100
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247 RATING: 96/100
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RIVALS RATING: 5.9 (97%)
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Draft Profile: Bio
Derek Williams Jr. from Westgate High School was rated a 4-star recruit by ESPN and handed a 4-star grade by 247 Sports. Following high school, Williams Jr. opted to join Texas after being heavily recruited.In 2023 as a freshman Williams Jr. saw action in 13 games and played a total of 397 snaps at safety for the Longhorns. He recorded 27 tackles, 8 assists, while adding 9 stops. In coverage Williams Jr. notched up 2 pass breakups, no interceptions, and QB rating when targetted of 72.1.
As a sophomore in 2024 he played in just 3 games and logged 76 snaps for the Longhorns. He made just 6 tackles, one assist, and had one stop. In coverage he totaled no pass breakups, one interception, and an elite QB rating when targetted of .0.
Scouting Report: Strengths
- Williams has good size and is a fluid mover, capable of mirroring quickness underneath
- Willing in run support, coming downhill quickly when Williams has a chance to make a play.
- Flashes good ball skills. Williams has the fluidity and change-of-direction ability to mirror quicker receivers underneath.
- While built more like a cornerback than a safety, he has the vision, range, hitting ability, and ball skills teams want at free safety in the pass-heavy NFL.
- Has a tall frame and long arms, plus strong hands, giving him a huge catch radius.
- Reads the QB and gets good breaks on the ball. Bigger hitter than his slight frame implies. Closes quickly and generates explosion.
Scouting Report: Weaknesses
- Overaggressive and will miss tackle attempts. Needs to do a better job breaking down in space and using proper technique. Suspect anticipation and ball skills.
- Possesses a bit of a narrow frame, has only average speed and lacks the fluid body type and hips to quickly change direction.
- Needs to get stronger. Too easily lost in the trash. Not a sudden athlete and shows body stiffness when attempting to quickly redirect.
How other scouting services rate Derek Williams Jr. (Overall Rank)
All Scouts AverageOverall Rank
253.0
All Scouts AveragePosition Rank
58.0
*Percentile Ranking in Player's Position Group (NFL Combine Historical Data): This percentile reflects how a player's specific statistics rank
in comparison to historical performances at the NFL Combine, specifically within their position group. A higher percentile indicates a better performance.
For instance, being in the 90th percentile for a particular stat means the player outperformed 90% of their peers in that category.
*Similarity Percentage: This percentage is calculated based on a comprehensive analysis of various factors, including height, weight, 40-yard dash times, on-field performance statistics, and overall player rating. The analysis is conducted against our database of draft prospects from 2021 to 2023. This similarity score helps in evaluating how closely a current prospect aligns with past prospects. It is important to note, however, that this score reflects similarities based on college production and attributes, and does not account for eventual success or performance in the NFL.
*Similarity Percentage: This percentage is calculated based on a comprehensive analysis of various factors, including height, weight, 40-yard dash times, on-field performance statistics, and overall player rating. The analysis is conducted against our database of draft prospects from 2021 to 2023. This similarity score helps in evaluating how closely a current prospect aligns with past prospects. It is important to note, however, that this score reflects similarities based on college production and attributes, and does not account for eventual success or performance in the NFL.