Josh Willliams, RB, LSU
Size:
Height: 5’8” | Weight: 200 lbs
Accomplishments:
LSU’s Percy E. Roberts Offensive Player of the Year Award (2022)
“Josh Williams is a quick-footed, high-IQ running back who can be productive as a runner and in the passing game.”
Strengths:
Contact balance/body control
High-IQ player
Lateral agility
Pass protection
Concerns:
Size
Role-specific
Top-end speed
Film Analysis:
Josh Williams started his career off as a walk-on at LSU. He showcased his talent and skills as a running back to not only earn a scholarship but an opportunity to play significant snaps. Williams is a well-rounded back who has a high IQ and is efficient in all facts of playing running back.
As a runner, Williams has good vision and footwork that allows him to create in both the running game and as a receiver out of the backfield in the short-to-intermediate portions of the field. Williams’ best trait is how he can tie his feet with his vision and get to the necessary holes. Williams can be a patient runner who can scan the line of scrimmage and find the vacant holes. Getting into the line of scrimmage, Williams knows how to condense his frame and get into small creases to get plus yardage on a run that had minimal potential. When working in high-traffic areas, he can use his short-area quickness, lateral agility, and low pad level to navigate tight spaces and pick up yardage. In the open field, Williams has an element of elusiveness to make defenders miss in one-on-one situations. Williams' compact frame also serves as a benefit to him because it helps with contact balance but also gives him a small contact area for defenders to hit. Because of this, Williams can pick up extra yardage in the open field.
In the passing game, Williams has positive contributions as both a receiver and as a blocker. In pass pro, Williams does a good job of scanning for second-level defenders and can effectively pick up blitzers, slowing them down from getting to the quarterback. Williams' IQ is evident as he can quickly dissect and correctly pick the right defender. Williams does well catching the ball out of the backfield on traditional running back routes, showing to be a natural hands-catcher.
Williams' biggest concern as a player has to do with some athletic limitations. Williams profiles to be a quicker-than-fast player. While he can create for himself, there may be limitations on his ability to create the big play. This may relegate him to being viewed as a rotational piece of a running back committee and put a ceiling on what his cleaning could be.
Overall, Williams is an instinctual back who has a natural skill set that could be a valuable piece of running back room in the NFL.
Prospect Projection: Day 3 — Role Specific Contributor
Written By: Keith Sanchez
Exposures: Florida State (2023), Arkansas (2023), Missouri (2023), Alabama (2023)
