Tyleik Williams is a senior defensive tackle from Ohio State University, poised to enter the 2025 NFL Draft. Originally from Manassas, Virginia, Williams was a four-star recruit who chose Ohio State over Alabama. He arrived in Columbus weighing 360 pounds but reshaped his body to a more explosive 327 pounds, showcasing his dedication and work ethic.
2025 NFL Draft Scouting Report: Tyleik Williams, Ohio State
College Career
Williams made an immediate impact as a freshman, earning Freshman All-American honors while recording 16 tackles, 6.5 tackles for loss, and 5.0 sacks in 12 games. He continued to improve each season, culminating in a breakout junior year where he amassed 54 tackles, 10 tackles for loss, and 3 sacks, earning Second-team All-American honors.
In his senior season, Williams posted 46 tackles, 8 tackles for loss, and 2.5 sacks despite missing two games. Over his four-year career at Ohio State, he accumulated 137 tackles, 27 tackles for loss, and 11.5 sacks, demonstrating consistent production and development.
Strengths
Explosive First Step: Williams possesses an exceptional first step off the snap, allowing him to penetrate gaps and disrupt plays in the backfield. His quickness for a player his size is a significant asset.
Run Defense: He excels as a run defender, using his strength and leverage to reset the line of scrimmage. Williams is nearly impossible to block one-on-one in the run game, consistently holding his ground and shedding blocks.
Versatility: Capable of playing multiple positions along the defensive line, Williams has lined up anywhere from 0-technique to 5-technique. This versatility makes him valuable in both odd and even-front defensive schemes.
Upper Body Strength: Williams demonstrates impressive upper-body strength, allowing him to stand up offensive linemen, gain control of blocks, and shed effectively.
Athleticism: For his size, Williams displays remarkable athleticism and fluidity, contributing to his effectiveness in both run defense and pass rush.
Hand Usage: He shows good overall hand use to stack and shed blocks, with the ability to knock back blockers and create space.
Weaknesses
Consistency: While Williams flashes dominance, he can be inconsistent at times, getting beaten more often than expected for a player of his caliber.
Pass Rush Refinement: Although he has a powerful bull rush, Williams needs to develop a more diverse and refined pass rush repertoire to consistently pressure quarterbacks at the next level.
Stamina: There are concerns about Williams’ ability to maintain his effectiveness throughout an entire game, potentially requiring snap management early in his NFL career.
Pad Level: At times, Williams plays too high, which can hinder his overall power and effectiveness.
Length: He lacks elite length, which can make it difficult for him to keep his pads clear and finish plays at the quarterback.
NFL Projection
Tyleik Williams projects as a high-upside interior defensive lineman with the potential to make an immediate impact as a run defender while developing as a pass rusher. His ideal fit is as a 3-technique in an even front defense, where his quickness and power can be maximized.
Williams’ combination of size, strength, and athleticism gives him a high ceiling as an NFL prospect. His ability to play multiple positions along the defensive line adds to his value, allowing defensive coordinators to use him in various schemes and situations.
While he may need some refinement in his pass-rushing technique and consistency, Williams has the physical tools and football IQ to become a disruptive force at the next level. His performance against top competition in college suggests he has the potential to develop into a Pro Bowl-caliber player if he can maintain his conditioning and expand his skill set.
Draft Projection
Based on his physical attributes, production at Ohio State, and potential for growth, Tyleik Williams is likely to be selected in the early to mid-second round of the 2025 NFL Draft. However, given his upside and the premium placed on disruptive interior defenders, it wouldn’t be surprising to see him sneak into the late first round if a team falls in love with his potential.
Teams looking for a versatile, powerful defensive tackle with the ability to stop the run and collapse the pocket will be particularly interested in Williams. His combination of immediate impact potential and room for growth makes him an intriguing prospect for teams looking to bolster their defensive line rotation.
