Five things to know Tyleik Williams, the Detroit Lions’ first-round pick in the 2025 NFL Draft.
With the 28th pick in the 2025 NFL Draft , the Detroit Lions selected Ohio State defensive tackle Tyleik Williams.
Here are five quick things to know about the newest Lions defensive lineman
Tyleik Williams was one of the best run defenders in this year’s class
Williams posted an 88.6 PFF run defense grade in 2024, which ranked eighth among all defensive tackles in the FBS. His 23 run stops also ranked in the top 30.
Ohio State DL Tyleik Williams (#91) with the textbook drop leg technique to hold off the double team, sheds the LT block to make the run stop. His flexibility at his size (6-3, 327) is remarkable. pic.twitter.com/rSHp4uUiLl
— Devin Jackson (@RealD_Jackson) January 21, 2025
His play is defined by his strength, and that shows up in his ability to eat double teams.
He dropped size from when he landed at Ohio State
Williams originally arrived at Ohio State at about 360 pounds, a problem he credits to COVID. However, he worked hard, dropped to the 330 range, and kept his dominant strength.
“When you first watched him move, it was like, ‘Wow, this guy has some movement skills that other big guys just don’t have,’ ” Ohio State strength and conditioning coach Mickey Marotti said in October . “The defensive linemen will tell you he’s probably the most impressive, explosive guy we’ve got.”
He’s got a little pass rush in him
While in Detroit, Williams will most likely be tasked with defending the run as potentially the successor to DJ Reader at nose tackle, he does have a little bit of potential as a pass rusher. He had 11.5 career sacks for the Buckeyes, and as referenced by Marotti above, he’s got a little more burst than you’d expect from a man his size—as evidenced by his unofficial 2.77 20-yard split (before he was injured during his 40-yard dash)
3 years ago, Tyleik Williams recorded his first career multi sack game against the Zips. Now he will face them as a senior https://t.co/JNO2rWyIVo pic.twitter.com/EVxJkeiQkZ
— Brodie (@BrodieKnowsBall) May 30, 2024
He made Bruce Feldman’s Freak list in 2022
Here’s what Feldman had to say about Williams’ athleticism .
Williams made a splash as a freshman in 2021, making 6.5 TFLs and five sacks. He’s in much better shape, going from over 350 down to 315, and really can help the Buckeyes get back to having a dominant D-line again. The Buckeyes have several Freak candidates in that room — 6-6, 272-pound Zach Harrison at the top of that list, having once run a 10.7 100 meters, but Williams is one to really keep an eye on. His burst gets him on the list this year. His 10-yard split of 1.62 is an amazing time for a 300-plus pounder.
His teammates agree:
“Tyleik (Williams) is one of the biggest freaks in this draft class,” former Ohio State teammate Jack Sawyer said . “He’s 6-foot-3, (and) can move.”
Williams was one a record-breaking shot put thrower
Williams has spent the last four seasons at Ohio State showing off his strength taking on double teams, but before then he was showing off his track and field skills. At 14 years old, Williams destroyed the shot put record at Parkside Middle School with a 48 feet and 9.5 inches toss .