Hardaway’s Mykel Williams balances high expectations, recruiting amid COVID-19
Mykel Williams misses the constant phone calls and text messages that come with being a top high school football recruit.
Williams, a towering 6-foot-5 defensive end for Hardaway High School, has picked up his fair share of collegiate offers. The list of schools that want the Columbus native would make any recruit jealous: Alabama, Clemson and Auburn are among the 24 offers he’s picked up. Williams is only a rising junior.
But Williams, like his teammates and other major recruits around the nation, had to press pause on preparing for the upcoming season when the COVID-19 pandemic hit.
He also had to hit pause on his recruitment, since the NCAA extended a recruiting “dead period” in all sports through August 31. That means no campus visits for recruits, and college coaches aren’t allowed to visit prospects either.
“(The break) is nice, but I’m ready to get back to recruiting,” Williams said Thursday at Hardaway’s practice football field. “Ready to get back to practice.”
Williams is a four-star prospect, the sixth overall recruit in Georgia and No. 53 in the nation, according to the 247Sports Composite rating that factors in all networks.
The pandemic threw a wrench into the plans of Williams who, like most, lost access to gyms and other public exercise facilities.
So, he adapted. The 255-pound Williams did both conditioning and speed-and-agility workouts at either Hardaway’s practice field or Lakebottom Park “every day.” Keeping that explosive nature so prevalent in his playing style is vital — that’s what coaches love about him.
He modeled his game after Myles Garrett growing up. He “loves” watching how the Browns’ 2018 Pro Bowl defensive end uses both speed and power.
Williams’ play earned him 2019 Georgia High School Association Region 1-4A first team honors. He was one of five Hawks to receive first team honors, and was named to the AJC’s All-State team.
Williams’ goal is to record between 15 and 20 sacks this year. He registered 60 tackles (20 tackles for loss), 12 sacks and 15 quarterback hurries last year, so that 2020 target is not unreasonable.
Williams also has high expectations for a Hardaway team that has improved in back-to-back years.
“I want to go to state,” Williams said. “I want to take this team to state.”
Hardaway finished 7-4 last season, including an opening-round playoff loss to Thomson. The Hawks entered 2019 following two of their best seasons in recent memory.
They had to grind for a playoff spot last year. They followed a disheartening loss to Cairo by winning five of their next six games.
A state championship appearance will be a tough ask: Hardaway’s region now includes — in addition to every Muscogee County School District high school except Northside — Troup, one of the most consistent 4A teams in the state, and LaGrange. But if the Hawks can continue on the same trajectory, a deep playoff run is possible.
Regardless, the Hawks will need Williams at his best. They shouldn’t have to worry too much about that.
“It would be big (to take this team to state),” Williams said. “And I think we can do it.”
