Isaiah Williams WR Illinois | NFL Draft Profile & Scouting Report
Isaiah Williams WR Illinois
NFL Draft Profile & Scouting Report
| ROLE: Slot Receiver | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Last Updated: 04/21/2024 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Draft Year: 2024 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 40 time: 4.63 seconds (11%*) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Bowl Invite: Shrine Bowl | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| ROLE: Slot Receiver | |
| Last Updated: 04/21/2024 | |
| Draft Year: 2024 | |
| 40 time: 4.63 seconds (11%*) | |
| Bowl Invite: Shrine Bowl | |
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| Overall Rating: | 79.9 / 100 | |
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| Average rating of opposition Defense player has faced | ||
| Defense Rating: |
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76% |
| Click the links below to view how player ranks vs other prospects. | ||
| QB Rating When targeted: | 95.0 | |
| Hands: |
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73% |
| Short Receiving: |
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82% |
| Intermediate Routes: |
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81% |
| Deep Threat: |
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82% |
| Blocking: |
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57% |
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DRAFT PROJECTION:
6th
Overall Rank:
#183
Position rank:
#29
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| College Games: 39 College Snaps: 1822 | ||
ESPN RATING: 84/100
College Combine Results
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247 RATING: 90/100
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RIVALS RATING: 6.0 (98%)
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| Player Comparison* (Similarity level) | ||
|---|---|---|
| Jerreth Sterns - Western Kentucky |
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73% |
| Josh Johnson - Tulsa |
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71% |
| Britain Covey - Utah |
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68% |
Draft Profile: Bio
Isaiah Williams from Trinity Catholic High in St. Louis, Missouri, initially made waves as a dual-threat quarterback before making the pivot to wide receiver at Illinois. A former 4-star recruit, Williams' high school career was adorned with accolades, including being named Missouri Gatorade Player of the Year twice and showcasing his talents in the Under Armour All-American game and the Nike Elite 11.His collegiate career stats highlight his versatility and growth in the role, culminating in a senior year with 82 receptions for 715 yards and five touchdowns, alongside contributions in punt returns. His efforts earned him an All-Big Ten Honorable Mention and the role of team captain, demonstrating not only his on-field capabilities but also his leadership and impact within the team.
Scouting Report: Strengths
- Exhibits excellent speed and quickness, complemented by explosive athleticism and notable acceleration, making him a threat in open spaces.
- Demonstrates the ability to secure catches in traffic, utilizing his quickness and strength to excel as a run-after-catch player.
- Has shown resilience and toughness, playing bigger than his size and effectively utilizing footwork to navigate complex routes.
- Competitive nature drives him to manipulate defenders’ leverage, showcasing speed variance in his route running and elusiveness post-catch.
- Former quarterback with valuable experience in run/pass option plays, adding versatility and gadget play potential to his repertoire.
- Displays good awareness and determination, making significant impacts across all field areas with gadget and punt return capabilities.
- Recognized for his leadership and academic achievements, indicating a strong work ethic and team-first attitude.
- Reliable in pressure moments, evidenced by scoring game-winning touchdowns, illustrating clutch performance ability.
Scouting Report: Weaknesses
- Still refining wide receiver techniques, indicating room for growth in route precision and catching mechanics.
- Limited catch radius and struggle with contested catches due to size constraints, requiring precise quarterback throws.
- Occasional difficulty in tracking and securing off-frame throws, alongside a propensity for drops under pressure.
- Run blocking identified as a developmental area, reflecting a need to enhance physicality and technique in the run game.
- Has experienced issues with punt returns, including muffed punts, necessitating improvement in ball security.
Scouting Report: Summary
Isaiah Williams' draft profile presents a mixed bag of high-end potential and areas for growth. On the plus side, his speed, agility, and versatility are assets. His background as a quarterback offers a layer of versatility, hinting at a wide array of gadget plays and RPO (Run-Pass Option) scenarios. Furthermore, Williams' success in high-pressure situations, demonstrated by his clutch performances, speaks volumes about his competitive nature and mental toughness.However, his transition from quarterback to wide receiver is still a work in progress. Despite his athletic gifts, Williams' technique as a receiver—ranging from route running to hand placement and blocking—needs refinement. His limited catch radius and difficulties with contested catches are concerns, especially against the physicality of NFL defensive backs. Additionally, his run blocking and special teams play, while not his primary roles, will require attention to increase his value on the roster.
Isaiah Williams percentiles vs other Wide Receivers (NFL Combine historically - higher value represents better perfomance)
How other scouting services rate Isaiah Williams (Overall Rank)
All Scouts AverageOverall Rank
187.0
All Scouts AveragePosition Rank
38.0
*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.