The Big 12 conference has one of the most electrifying talents in college football. A two-time All-Big 12 selection in his first two years. A player that can run and catch out of the backfield line-up at slot receiver. He doesn’t play for Oklahoma, Texas, or even K-State, but rather one of the worst teams in college football. Pooka Williams from the University of Kansas is one of the best RB prospects in college football.
Production
Despite being on a team that is atrocious in almost every category on defense, only having six wins in two years, Pooka isn’t game scripted out. After his first two seasons, Willams has averaged six yards per carry on 364 attempts, a total of 2186 yards. He’s also had 60 receptions for 503 yards.
In his first two years, Williams only has 14 touchdowns, nine of which came in his freshman year.
It’s one thing for me to quote stats and find productive marks to justify my opinion, but watching film verifies what the stats say. It has also helped me identify that some stats don’t show everything. Williams, for example, has only 60 receptions in two years, but profiles as an above-average pass-catcher. His games against Oklahoma and Texas show average yards per catch, but the tape shows his ability to pluck the ball and move in one motion while combining his other abilities. Numbers don’t show his ability to hesitate, cut, and accelerate with the ball in his hands, or his willingness to step into blocks.
Concerns
Pooka’s lack of TD production may be attributed to his smaller size. Williams is 5’10 and only 170 pounds. While he is underwhelming in size, he showed an ability to stay balanced after contact and run between the tackles, as well as good vision at the line of scrimmage.
Despite being a talented football player, he has his flaws off the field. He was suspended from team activities for most of the offseason last year and received a one-game suspension after being involved in a domestic violence case. Williams will surely have to account for this behavior in team interviews when he declares for the draft.
Draft Eligibility
Despite all this, NFL teams will surely go after Williams when he declares because of his electric talents. Most believe Pooka will declare early and enter the 2021 draft. If college football is affected by COVID-19, there is a chance he waits and puts another year of production out there to solidify his status for the 2022 NFL Draft.
Conclusions
Pooka’s ability to create yards after the catch will be why he continues to rise up the rankings. Don’t sleep on this kid to be an early to mid-round pick in the NFL Draft when he decides to declare. Williams could prove to be worth rostering in devy and dynasty leagues because of the electric plays he can create. With a loaded 2021 running back class, Williams should be considered a sleeper if he declares. If he chooses to stay one more year, Pooka Williams could have a bigger spotlight in the 2022 NFL Draft and is someone to keep an eye on as his career continues.
Thanks for taking the time to read this article. You can interact with me on Twitter, @Brennan316. I love to chat with the community on trades or hear suggestions of players that might be of interest to get my perspective on.
