College Football Week 3: NFL Draft big board rankings
Connor Williams
OT, Texas
While Williams’ potential All-American campaign got off to a poor start to slightly ding his draft stock, it won’t be enough to wipe away an impressive overall collegiate resume.
Texas bounced back from the ugly season-opening loss to Maryland with a 56-0 victory over San Jose State thanks to 409 rushing yards, as Williams helped overwhelm the Spartans at the line of scrimmage. That was a nice recovery from the game against the Terrapins, when Williams uncharacteristically was called for multiple penalties and allowed too much pressure.
The third-year offensive lineman started a combined 23 games in his first two seasons in Austin en route to being named a consensus All-American in 2016. Williams allowed all of one sack in over those two years as Texas’ starting left tackle, and helped pave the way for the nation’s leading rusher in D’onta Foreman last season.
At 6-6, 230 pounds, Williams has a good combination of size and natural athleticism to help him succeed equally in pass protection and run blocking. There aren’t a lot of holes in Williams’ all-around game for now, and he could easily be the first tackle off the board baring a repeat of his performance in the Maryland game later on this year.
Next Saturday will give Williams a chance to make a huge statement, as Texas faces off against national champion contender USC and a defense that is coming off an impressive performance in a win over Stanford.