Georgia's Mykel Williams named National Defensive Player of the Year

Georgia early enrollee Mykel Williams has recently been named the 2021 High School National Defensive Player of the Year, according to an announcement by the Maxwell Football Club.

Williams was a five-star prospect, per the 247Sports Composite. He had a dominant senior season at Hardaway High School, racking up 81 tackles, 20.5 tackles for loss and 12.5 sacks. Williams competed at the All-American Bowl earlier this month and totaled three tackles for loss.

Williams is rated as the nation’s No. 4 overall prospect, No. 2 defensive lineman and No. 2 player in the Peach State.

The Columbus, Ga. native shares the honor with Gatorade National Player of the Year and the nation’s top-ranked running back, Nicholas Singleton, who was named the 2021 High School National Oefensive Player of the Year

“Leadership, innovation and an indisputable drive to be the best are attributes that Nicholas, Mykel and Adidas share,” said Kris Boltin, Director of Football Sports Marketing for Adidas. “We got to see the leadership and camaraderie that Nicholas and Mykel shared with their teammates both on and off the field during the 2022 All American Bowl game and we are excited to these outstanding young men as the Maxwell High School Players of the Year presented by Adidas.”

The Maxwell Football Club National HS Player of the Year award was established in 2007 and former winners include Ty Thompson (Offense – Mesquite HS – Oregon), Barrett Carter (North Gwinnett HS – Clemson), Bryce Young (Offense – Mater Dei HS – Alabama), Bryan Bresee (Defense – Damascus HS – Clemson), Bru McCoy (Offense – Mater Dei HS – USC), Nolan Smith (Defense – IMG Academy – Georgia), Trevor Lawrence (Offense – Cartersville HS – Clemson), Taron Vincent (Defense -IMG Academy – Ohio State), Tate Martell (Bishop Gorman HS – Ohio State), Jacob Eason (2015 Lake Stevens HS – Georgia), Trenton Thompson (2014 Westover HS – Georgia), Will Grier (2013 Davidson Day School – Florida), Derrick Henry (2012 Yulee HS – Alabama), Noah Spence (2011 Bishop McDevitt HS – Ohio State), Jeff Driskel (2010 Hagerty HS – Florida), Sharif Floyd (2009 George Washington HS - Florida), Jamarkus McFarland (2008 Lufkin HS - Oklahoma) and DeVier Posey (2007 Cincinnati LaSalle HS – Ohio State). Henry and Young went on to win the Maxwell Award while at Alabama.