Mac McWilliams, CB, UCF
Size:
Height: 5102
Weight: 191
Arm: 29 ⅞”
Hand: 8 ⅜”
Accomplishments:
C-USA All-Freshman (2021)
“Mac McWilliams is a refined man cover corner with excellent instincts and burst to force QBs to make the perfect throw. He’s also an impactful fringe area defender in countering the run and screen game.”
Strengths:
Footwork
Instincts
Tackling
Backpedal
High-level man corner
Impact vs. run/screen game
Concerns:
Top-end gear
Quickness out of T-step
Length
Film Analysis:
A transfer to UCF after four seasons at UAB, Mac McWilliams is a refined man cover corner with excellent instincts and burst to force QBs to make the perfect throw, as well as an impactful fringe area defender in countering the run and screen game.
While McWilliams projects into the slot at the next level, his success as a perimeter corner in his first seasons at the Power 4 level is highly intriguing. In 40 targets against this fall, McWilliams allowed just 22 receptions for a total of 119 yards, including matchups against 2025 first-rounders Travis Hunter, Tetairoa McMillan, and likely 2026 first-rounder Jordyn Tyson (Arizona State).
McWilliams operates with a smooth and quick backpedal where he easily covers ground at a high rate of speed. Constantly in phase with his opponent and has no issue flipping his hips to accelerate up a gear downfield. Instinctive ballplayer as well who forces QBs to make the perfect throw at a variety of depths. McWilliams is also a highly anticipatory corner that reads body positioning and tendencies beyond the line of scrimmage to ID route concepts. Excellent spatial awareness when targeted vertically where McWilliams will reduce space quickly into the chest of wideouts, squeezing them further and further toward the sideline. This is also evident in the red zone where he has zero issue running with wideouts on the backline, leaving only inches to operate. A slight concern at this time is his break out of his backpedal, where at times it may take McWilliams a few gather steps to work back towards his target. It’s not evident consistently on tape, but that vacated space will be taken advantage of by NFL QBs.
He’s competitive at the catch point that arrives with pop. Plays well through the hands of receivers and is a player that operates like a corner with much more length and mass on the outside – a trait coaches love to see.
McWilliams is also highly impactful in the fringe areas both as a run defender and when working through designated looks on the outside. Has had multiple instances of blowing through the lead blocker on a screen, only to bring the ball-carrier to the turf behind the line of scrimmage. Sure tackler at all levels of the field who attacks the lower half of his opponents with eyes up, exploding through their thigh pads.
Overall, McWilliams projects as an immediate contributor within an NFL secondary whose tape is one of the most impressive of any corner in the 2025 class. His fundamental coverage ability in man, trigger, and instincts vs zone, along with his impact at or near the line of scrimmage in the ground/screen game, showcases an experienced and well-versed prospect who touts the skill set necessary to start at the NFL level.
Prospect Projection: Day 2 — Winning Starter
Written By: Ryan Fowler
Exposures: Colorado (2024), Arizona (2024), Arizona State (2024), Florida (2024), Cincinnati (2024)
