Kansas football: Pooka Williams entering 2021 NFL Draft

Kansas football star Pooka Williams Jr. is headed to the NFL Draft after becoming one of the greatest Jayhawks to wear the crimson and blue.

After Pooka Williams opted out of this season, there was a high likelihood of him deciding to go pro. That day has finally come, as Williams announced yesterday on Twitter that he would be declaring for the 2021 NFL Draft. It’s safe to say that Williams has had one of the most successful careers in Kansas football history during his time with the Jayhawks.

Williams will end his college career at ninth on the all-time rushing yards list at Kansas with 2,342 yards. It’s an impressive feat considering he only played 26 games as a Jayhawk. Had he decided to stay at Kansas through his senior year, Williams would have had an excellent chance to become the all-time rushing yards leader at Kansas. Still, it’s important to keep in mind that Williams is making the best choice for himself and his family.

Here is Pooka Williams’ tweet announcing his decision:

It’s evident that Williams enjoyed his time with Kansas football, calling his teammates his “brothers” and thanking head coach Les Miles. Now that he’s officially headed to the league, the big question is when will Williams get drafted?

Before this season, Williams was considered a top 100 prospect by CBS, coming in at No. 87 overall and No. 9 out of the running backs. For positives, Williams has elite speed and versatility out of the backfield. In addition to running the ball, Williams can catch passes, and also be used in the return game. One of Williams’ biggest drawbacks is his size, standing at 5’10” and 170 pounds. There’s also the issue of his misdemeanor battery charge that earned him a one-game suspension last season.

While his stock might have fallen due to not playing much this season, Williams should find himself on an NFL roster one way or another. He’s got the skill, and it’ll come down to proving that he deserves a chance to make it happen in the NFL.