For teams targeting defensive talent during the 2024 NFL Draft, the safety position is considered a spot worth looking into by Day 2 of the event.
Could this mean Evan Williams will be one of the earliest names called? Here’s a closer look at the Oregon defender.
How Tall Is Evan Williams?
Williams comes equipped with solid height for a safety, especially in the box.
He was measured at 5’11”. While he’s still two inches shorter than the average height for NFL safeties, teams haven’t shied from taking DBs shorter than 6’0″.
Still, Williams is considered closer to the 6’0″ range. He stood at that height while establishing himself as a national recruit in the 2019 class.
How Much Does Williams Weigh?
Williams weighs in at 200 pounds, giving him no dilemma in being considered too light for the position.
He’s well-built and has a compact frame for Sundays. However, he has put on weight and muscle in his college career.
Williams was 185 pounds the moment his college career began.
How Old Is Williams?
A subsequent question: Is Williams one of the older or younger prospects for this class? Williams will enter the draft as a 22-year-old prospect. Yet, he’ll be 23 by the time he starts up his first NFL training camp.
He was born on July 28, 2001, in Los Gatos, Calif.
What School Did Williams Go To?
Williams holds this distinction compared to most players in this rookie class: He’s not only played at two universities but experienced two different conference title games.
He started out with Fresno State as a three-star recruit signing out of St. Francis High in Mountain View, Calif. He made his way to the starting lineup for a Bulldogs team that finished 4-8 in 2019.
However, three seasons later, Williams emerged as a defensive leader for a Bulldogs team that went from 1-4 to winning the Mountain West Conference Championship.
MORE: Top Safeties in the 2024 NFL Draft
He earned second-team All-Mountain West honors for helping spark the Bulldogs’ turnaround that saw them win nine straight games, including the MWC title at Boise State.
Williams then tested the Power Five realm and transferred to Oregon. By heading to the Ducks, he replaced his older brother Bennett at safety.
Revisiting Williams’ College Career
Williams became a favorite among the “Red Wave” in California’s Central Valley.
He established himself as a consistent tackler who finished between 27 and 90 tackles in four seasons with Fresno State. He also never fell below 21 solo stops in his four seasons with the Bulldogs. As a ball hawk, Williams ended his Bulldogs career producing back-to-back four breakups but also snatched three interceptions in 2021.
While at Fresno State, he suited up for longtime defensive coach Kevin Coyle, who coached cornerbacks for the Cincinnati Bengals from 2001 to 2011 and was the defensive coordinator for the Miami Dolphins from 2012 to 2015.
But again, Williams wound up following his brother in Eugene. That was where Williams got to experience the final Pac-12 title game with the Ducks.
In emerging as a starter on the backend of the defense, Williams produced 82 total tackles with 49 solo stops. However, he delivered a career-high 4.5 sacks, as Oregon trusted him to blitz often.
Williams’ Potential in the NFL
This safety class, while lacking in surefire first-round talent, is still deep.
It’s so deep that Williams is not considered among the top 10 safeties for the 2024 group by PFN.
This doesn’t mean that Williams is guaranteed to fall in the draft. There will be teams looking for a defender who’s unafraid to line up near the line of scrimmage and wreak havoc, which is what Williams does best. He plays with the attitude of a linebacker, wanting to be in seek-and-destroy mode.
KEEP READING: Who Has the Most Draft Picks in 2024?
However, he noticeably delivered his best tackles when there was a lack of space for runners. Williams had a harder time keeping up with receivers in the passing game. Even more concerning is his 40-yard dash time, as he was clocked at 4.61 during the NFL Scouting Combine.
Still, Williams has drawn NFL interest, including from the San Francisco 49ers during the pre-draft process. He’s likely to be seen as a box safety option or even an early special-teams candidate to start out his career. While he’s not considered the most complete safety, he’ll win over teams with his tackling and fearlessness.
Draft with your friends today! PFN’s Mock Draft Simulator now supports multiple drafters during the same draft! Ensure your player rankings are up to date on the 2024 NFL Draft Big Board and you know what every NFL team needs before drafting.