Williams Suffers Ankle Injury in Georgia's Victory Over Clemson

By David Brent Martin

ATLANTA – Mykel Williams, the Hardaway High School standout and Maxwell Defensive Player of the Year, was poised to be a cornerstone of Georgia’s top-ranked defense in 2024; alongside fellow All-American candidates Jalon Walker, Warren Brinson, Smael Mondon and Malaki Starks, Williams was expected to lead the Bulldogs to another dominant season.

On Saturday, Aug. 31, Georgia delivered a commanding 34-3 victory over the Clemson Tigers at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta.

However, the win came at a cost, as Williams sustained a Grade 2 sprain to his left ankle following a low chop block by Clemson running back Phil Mafah.

The incident, which occurred with 6:34 remaining in the third quarter, resulted in a penalty for Mafah due to the illegal block.

Williams, a junior from Columbus, Ga., is a preseason All-SEC selection and an All-American candidate, with some publications projecting him as a top five pick in the 2025 NFL Draft.

Standing at 6-foot-5 and weighing 265 pounds, Williams boasts the size, speed, and range that make him a highly coveted prospect.

After the game, Williams was seen wearing a medical walking boot.

Georgia Head Coach Kirby Smart stated that the injury is stable, but Williams' status will be evaluated on a week-to-week basis.

As of now, he is listed as questionable for Georgia’s upcoming game against FCS opponent Tennessee Tech.

Williams' contributions have been instrumental to Georgia's success.

In 2023, he was named to the All-SEC Second Team by league coaches, recording 4.5 sacks. His stellar performance as a freshman in 2022 earned him Freshman All-American honors, setting the stage for what many expect to be a breakout season this year.