Justin Williams

Physical Profile

Listed at 5-11 to 6-0 and about 190 pounds. That is a compact, solid build for the slot rather than a tall outside frame. At 190 he can already handle a running back's workload between the tackles (108 carries in 2024) and take hits over the middle, which is unusual for a first-year slot. His height limits how often he can win high on contested catches, so he will produce more by separating and gaining yards after the catch than by winning jump balls. No verified laser-timed speed numbers turned up, so his top-end speed should be judged from game film, not a claimed 40 time.

Play Style

He plays like a running back who also catches. He finds space, catches cleanly on the move and turns upfield right away. His balance and sense of where tacklers are stand out after the catch, and in the backfield he shows patience and the ability to cut back. Buchholz fed him the ball in every way (sweeps, screens, handoffs, downfield routes), and his totals in both categories show he produced whether he started behind the line or split out wide.

Strengths

• Proven production both running and catching: 85 catches for 1,473 yards and 13 TDs, plus 108 carries for 1,023 yards and 16 TDs in 2024. He had about 3,800 all-purpose yards and 47 TDs over two seasons.
• Running back experience makes him dangerous after the catch. He runs with vision and contact balance, which suits screens, jet sweeps and quick game where the goal is extra yards after the catch.
• Can be moved around the formation: slot, backfield and motion. That lets a coordinator use him in several ways and create mismatches with one player.
• Character and makeup: Florida coverage (SI/All Gators) highlighted his selflessness, and he stayed committed to his hometown program through a coaching change.

Areas to Improve

• Route running: a lot of his high school production came from getting the ball in space and from his running back role. He needs sharper releases against press coverage, cleaner breaks and better timing on option routes to separate from SEC nickel corners.
• Adding strength without losing quickness, and improving his blocking, so he can stay on the field as a full-time slot on running downs.
• Moving from a high-volume, many-touch role to a narrow receiver role behind veterans. He needs to earn snaps as a route runner, not just as a gadget player.

College Projection

He is a true freshman slot receiver in a crowded Florida receiver room. Dallas Wilson and Vernell Brown III lead the group, with transfers added under Jon Sumrall. 247Sports and SI both list his 2026 role as uncertain because of that depth. The most realistic path is limited snaps plus special-teams or returner work in 2026, which could fit the four-game redshirt rule. As his routes improve, he could compete for regular slot snaps in 2027. His ceiling is a multi-year starter who gets a set number of designed touches each game.

NFL Outlook

He is a mid-round prospect at best, depending on how his development goes. Undersized slots who can run the ball get drafted if they show real separation and return value. His running ability gives him a second way to make an NFL roster (slot, gadget back, returner), but the draft grade will depend on proving SEC-level route running and speed. His NFL future cannot be judged fairly until he has played meaningful college snaps.

Best Fit

A spread offense built on horizontal stretch, run-pass options and motion that creates designed touches for a slot player: jet motion, screens, option routes and occasional backfield use. Florida's system fits, but the best fit is any staff willing to treat him as a weapon to scheme touches for, not a standard outside receiver.