P.J. Williams

NFL Draft Profile: P.J. Williams

Position: Offensive Tackle | School: SMU | Class: Redshirt Junior

Height: 6'5" | Weight: 313 lbs | Archetype: Balanced (Zone Slide / Power Specialist)

College Career Summary

P.J. Williams is one of the most physically gifted offensive linemen in the 2026 class. A former blue-chip four-star recruit, Williams began his career at Texas A&M before transferring to SMU in 2023. After flashing elite potential as a redshirt freshman, he became a full-time starter in 2024, splitting time between Left and Right Tackle.

His 2025 season was his most disciplined yet. Moving to the ACC, Williams faced higher-tier edge rushers and proved he could maintain his footwork against top-tier speed. He served as a team captain and led an SMU offense that ranked near the top of the conference in scoring. His ability to play both tackle spots and even slide inside to guard in a pinch makes him a high-value prospect for NFL teams looking for "swing" potential with starter-grade traits.

Career Stats & Highlights

• Career Starts: 29 (11 in 2025)

• 2025 Sacks Allowed: 2

• Pancakes: ~41 (2025 Season)

• Holding Penalties: 2 (2025)

• 2025 Honors: All-ACC Candidate; DCTF First-Team All-Texas.

2025 Game-by-Game Grades

Week	Opponent	Grade	Scout's Notes
1	vs E. Texas A&M	A	Absolute road-grader performance; 5 pancakes.
2	vs Baylor	B+	Handled 2OT pressure well; anchor held firm.
3	@ Missouri State	A-	Minimal pressures allowed; dominant in zone runs.
4	@ TCU	C+	Worst Game. Struggled with crowd noise and 1 sack allowed.
6	vs Syracuse	A	Perfect in pass protection; handled twists effortlessly.
8	@ Clemson	A+	The Apex. Shut down a projected 1st round edge rusher.
9	@ Wake Forest	B-	Gritty battle; allowed 1 sack on a late-game stunt.
10	vs Miami (FL)	A-	Key blocks on a game-winning OT drive.
11	@ Boston College	A	Total control in the run game (200+ team rushing yards).
13	vs Louisville	A-	Showcased elite stamina in a physical blowout win.
14	@ California	B	Solid but fatigue showed in late-game lateral mirror.

Scouting Grade Rubric

Intangibles (.20) — Grade: 91/100

• Leadership: High. Voted 2025 captain; zero off-field issues since arriving at SMU.

• Mental Toughness: High; successfully moved past early-career transfer adversity.

• Competitor: Elite; plays with a "mean streak" through the whistle.

• Team Player: Credits his center and interior guards for communication successes.

• Star: High; his presence on the blindside is felt every snap.

Physical Tools (.20) — Grade: 95/100

• Height/Weight: 6'5", 313 lbs. (Exceeds all physical benchmarks).

• Stamina: High; maintains foot speed deep into the fourth quarter.

• Durability: Solid; appeared in 37 games over three seasons at SMU.

• Injury History: Medically clean; minor lower-body dings in early Oct 2025.

Attributes (.20) — Grade: 92/100

• Run Block: Plus; outstanding leg drive in power-gap schemes.

• Pass Block: Strength. Elite lateral mirror and patient hands.

• Strength: Plus; weight-room "beast" whose power translates to a violent punch.

• Technique: Improved; shows mastery of the "snatch-and-trap" maneuver.

• High Motor: Constant; high-hustle blocker on screens and second-level climbs.

Athleticism (.20) — Grade: 94/100

• Speed: Elite. Basketball background shows in his range to the sideline.

• Agility: Plus; able to recover quickly if beaten across the face.

• Flexibility: High; "loose hips" allow him to anchor against low-leverage bull rushes.

• Acceleration: Sudden; explosive first step in the zone run game.

• Footwork: Clinical; extremely light and quiet feet for a 300lb+ man.

IQ (.20) — Grade: 89/100

• Awareness: Solid; occasionally eyes too much "trash" inside, but improved in 2025.

Scouting Report

• Strengths: 7-foot wingspan and elite length; "dancing bear" athleticism; positional versatility (started at both RT and LT); massive anchor that absorbs power effortlessly; improved hand discipline in 2025.

• Weaknesses: Can occasionally lunge at the top of the arc against elite speed; eyes can wander on stunts; needs to consistently stay low in his 3-point stance to maximize leverage.

• Scheme Fit: Perfect for a Zone-Heavy or Modern Spread offense (e.g., Dolphins, Lions, Packers).

• NFL Comparison: Dion Dawkins / Taylor Moton.

Scout's Final Word

"P.J. Williams is the prototypical modern-day tackle. He has the frame of a power blocker but the feet of a basketball player. His 2025 tape against Clemson and Miami proved he can handle NFL-bound speed and power. While he may have a few technical 'lapses' when tired, his ceiling is a perennial Pro Bowl Left Tackle. Given the high positional value of OTs, he won't last long on draft day. Draft Projection: 2nd Round (Mid-to-Late)."