Pooka Williams is off to the 2021 NFL Draft!
Kansas running back Pooka Williams has opted out of the remainder of the season and will declare for the 2021 NFL Draft. The Jayhawks have one game remaining on the schedule of what has been a disappointing 2020 college football season. Williams’ 2020 season has mirrored that disappointment., which may unfortunately follow him through the NFL Draft process.
Williams entered the 2020 college football season fresh off of back-to-back 1,000 yard rushing efforts for the Jayhawks. Williams burst onto the scene in Lawrence as a true freshman, amassing more than 1,100 yards on the ground and carrying an impressive 7.0 yards per carry average. The next season, Williams backed up his stellar freshman campaign with another 1,000 yard season, again eclipsing more than 5.0 yards per carry.
This season, however, has been a struggle. Kansas has yet to win a game on the season, and is unlikely to finish their season on a high note. For Williams’ part, he only managed to appear in four games this season, failing to rush for more than 200 yards on the season.
Now, with his sights set on the NFL Draft, what is the outlook for the talented — yet troubled — running back?
What NFL Draft outlook of Pooka Williams?
Williams should prove to be an intriguing prospect for an offensive-minded head coach. He has shown to have plenty of burst with the ball in his hands, and is shifty in the open field. He’s one of those proverbial “get him the ball in space” players who can make electric plays when given room to maneuver. According to Pro Football Network’s Tony Pauline, Williams is:
"A small, swift ball carrier who plays big football. Williams has the speed to turn the corner, the foot quickness to make defenders miss, and the toughness to pound it out on the inside."
While there’s a lot to like about Williams’ game, he’s not without some major concerns. Standing only 5’9″ and weighing only 170 pounds, there’s likely to be ample size concerns. Many may question whether Williams has the size and durability to stand up to the rigors of the NFL. He’ll have to answer the questions of whether he can run between the tackles, or if he’s simply a gadget player at the next level.
Williams’ best chance for success in the NFL may be a position change. His size and short-area quickness may better lend itself to a slot receiver at the NFL level. Williams has shown an ability to produce in the receiving game, notching 66 receptions during his career for over 500 yards and 4 touchdowns.