Alabama receiver Jameson Williams announced Thursday that he is declaring for the 2022 NFL Draft after a standout junior season with the Crimson Tide. Williams led his team with 1,572 yards receiving and 15 receiving touchdowns as he hauled in 79 passes after transferring in following two seasons at Ohio State.
Williams suffered a reported ACL tear early in the second quarter of Alabama’s 33-18 loss to Georgia in the College Football Playoff National Championship on Monday. However, the dynamic 6-foot-2 speedster is expected to undergo surgery soon and make a full recovery. He remains a projected first-round pick, according to CBS Sports draft analysts Ryan Wilson and Josh Edwards.
It took transferring to Alabama for Williams, a former four-star prospect, to break out on the national stage. He caught just 15 passes over two seasons for the Buckeyes in 2019 and 2020 while ceding the spotlight to other star receivers such as Garrett Wilson and Chris Olave, both of whom project as first-round picks themselves.
Williams quickly broke out upon transferring to the Tide, as he made four catches for 126 yards and a touchdown in the season-opening win over Miami. Williams later posted back-to-back games with three touchdown grabs vs. New Mexico State and Arkansas, and had two more games (vs. Texas A&M and LSU) with 10 receptions as he became the favorite perimeter target of Heisman Trophy winning quarterback Bryce Young.
Evan Neal, Alabama’s best offensive lineman and potential No. 1 pick, also declared for the draft earlier on Thursday.
Where Williams projects in the NFL
Williams ranks No. 8 overall in the CBS Sports NFL Draft Position Rankings and is considered the No. 2 receiver in the class. He is sandwiched between Wilson and Olave,…
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