Justin Williams
#19

Justin Williams

LB Georgia Georgia Sophomore

Bio

Height 5'11"
Weight 190 lbs
Hometown Gainesville, FL
High School Buchholz
Rating ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Recruiting

⭐⭐⭐⭐ Class of 2026
#157 National
#23 ATH
#17 State
0.9339 Rating

Scouting Report

A
93 / 100 Ceiling 93 • Floor 85
year 1 contributor NFL Rd 5

Justin Williams is a highly productive and versatile offensive weapon, not a traditional linebacker as initially listed. A consensus four-star prospect, he possesses a unique skillset highlighted by his historic junior season where he became the first Florida high school player since 2002 to surpass 1,000 yards in both rushing and receiving. His value lies in his multi-positional ability, projecting as a dynamic offensive chess piece at the next level.

Physical Profile

Williams has a stout, compact build at 5-foot-11 and roughly 190-195 pounds, which resembles that of a running back more than a receiver or linebacker. This build contributes to his excellent contact balance and ability to break tackles. While not a verified speed demon, he possesses good functional play speed and foot quickness, with one source noting a 4.48-second 40-yard dash. His muscular frame suggests he can add more mass and strength in a college program without sacrificing athleticism.

Play Style

Williams is best described as a tough, competitive and decisive football player who maximizes every touch. On film, he plays with a physical, downhill mentality, often lowering his shoulder to initiate and win contact. He is a volume playmaker who can score from anywhere on the field, evidenced by a junior season with 1,473 receiving yards, 1,023 rushing yards, and 29 total touchdowns on offense. He utilizes a polished spin move in tight quarters and keeps his feet churning through contact.

Strengths

  • **Offensive Versatility:** Lines up all over the formation, including running back, slot receiver, and split end, and contributes in the return game. His background as both a running back and receiver provides a diverse skillset that creates matchup problems for defenses.
  • **Contact Balance and Power:** Plays with a low center of gravity and consistently runs through arm tackles. He actively seeks contact and has the lower-body strength to power for extra yardage, whether as a runner or after the catch.
  • **Ball Skills and Vision:** Flashes natural hands as a receiver and shows a bigger catch radius than his frame might suggest. As a running back, he displays impressive vision for a player relatively new to the position, with the ability to make decisive cuts and find open lanes.

Areas to Improve

  • **Route Nuance:** While he runs a varied route tree for a high school prospect, continued refinement in setting up defenders and creating separation against elite defensive backs will be necessary at the P5 level.
  • **Instincts as a Pure RB:** Having moved to running back more recently after starting as a receiver, he is still developing the natural instincts for the position, such as letting blocks develop before hitting the hole.
  • **Defining a Primary Position:** His greatest strength (versatility) could also present a challenge. Honing his craft at one primary position will be key to his long-term development and NFL potential.

College Projection

Williams projects as a multi-year contributor for a Power 5 offense. His most immediate impact could be as a versatile offensive weapon or "OW" who can be moved around to create favorable matchups. While recruited by the wide receivers coach, his highest ceiling might be as a three-down running back who is a major threat in the passing game out of the backfield. Expect him to see the field early in his career on special teams and in specific offensive packages before growing into a more significant role by his second or third year.

NFL Outlook

Given his status as a four-star prospect with a composite rating of 0.9339, Williams has the potential to develop into an NFL Draft selection. His versatility is a major asset in the modern NFL, where hybrid RB/WR roles are increasingly valuable. His ultimate draft stock will depend on his ability to master a primary position at the college level and continue to build upon his impressive athletic base. Director of Scouting Andrew Ivins projects him as a Day 3 (Rounds 4-7) pick.

Best Fit

Williams is an ideal fit for a creative offensive scheme that utilizes versatile chess pieces and emphasizes getting playmakers the ball in space. A spread system that features H-backs, motion, and a high volume of targets to the running back position would maximize his dual-threat abilities. His commitment to Florida under Billy Napier, whose offense values this type of versatility, is a strong schematic fit.

Player Comparison

Deion Jones LSU • Atlanta Falcons 87% match

Jones entered LSU at a similar size (5'11", 185 lbs) and profile as a versatile linebacker who excelled in coverage and processing complex SEC offenses. Like this prospect, Jones was a highly-rated recruit from the Southeast who projected as an instinctive, athletic linebacker capable of playing multiple roles in modern defensive schemes, eventually becoming an elite NFL coverage linebacker despite his smaller stature.

Season Stats - 2025

Defensive

1 PD
1 QB HUR
0 SACKS
17 SOLO
0 TD
4 TFL
34 TOT

Puntreturns

4 AVG
4 LONG
1 NO
0 TD
4 YDS

Career History

2026
Georgia #19 LB - Sophomore
2025
Georgia #19 LB - Sophomore