When the Minnesota Gophers square off against the Missouri Tigers in the Buffalo Wild Wings Citrus Bowl, it is extremely likely you will see the name Maxx Williams all over the field. For a Gophers offense fixated on a strong rushing attack, Williams, a tight end, is the Gophers’ top offensive target and has bailed out Minnesota on several occasions this season. Williams has totaled 471 yards and seven touchdowns on 29 receptions during his redshirt sophomore season starring on several occasions. Following the breakout year, Williams has decided to forgo his final two seasons of eligibility and declare for the 2015 NFL Draft. Darren Wolfson of ESPN 1500 in the Twin Cities originally broke the news.
“Sources also indicate that they realize the 2015 Draft is not strong for tight ends,” Wolfson wrote. “The expectation is that Williams can go as high as the late first or second round. He did submit his name to the NFL Draft Advisory Board, and the belief is the feedback they will continue to provide will cement his decision.”
Williams, a Mackey Award Finalist, has all the physical tools (6’4’’, 250 pounds) to translate his game to the NFL level, and in a rather weak tight end class, could rise into the first or second round. The tight end position has become ever important to NFL teams’ passing game, and with a solid NFL combine, Williams could see his status rise up NFL teams draft boards. Still, he has plenty of work left to do if he hopes to cash in on his decision to enter the 2015 NFL Draft.
*Section photo credit to Leon Halip, Getty Images; Featured Photo (above) credit to Pat Lovell, USA Today Sports.
