National Football League

Decorated Gophers TE Williams has NFL Draft decision to make

Published Dec. 23, 2014 12:30 p.m. ET

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MINNEAPOLIS -- It's been hard to track all the individual accolades Minnesota's Maxx Williams has won this year.

The Gophers sophomore was named the Big Ten Tight End of the Year and earned first-team All-Big Ten honors. Several publications placed him on various All-America lists, including an Academic All-American award. And he was one of three finalists for the Mackey Award, which is given annually to the top tight end in the nation.

It's possible Williams could add another personal accomplishment to his list in a few months: NFL Draft pick.

Since Williams is a redshirt sophomore and has been out of high school for three years, he's eligible to enter the NFL Draft as an underclassman after this season. Williams did say that he submitted his name to the NFL's draft advisory board -- a rather standard procedure for top underclassmen -- that will give him a gauge on where he might be selected if he were to leave early. But just like Williams likes to downplay his other personal awards, he didn't exactly want to talk much about a potential NFL future.

"I'm worrying about the bowl game," Williams said last week as his Gophers prepared to face Missouri in the Citrus Bowl on Jan. 1. "That's where I'm at."

The numbers Williams put up this year have certainly warranted the individual attention he's received. He led the Gophers in catches (29), receiving yards (471) and touchdown receptions (7). Those seven touchdown catches are tied for third-most among all college tight ends, and his receiving yards are 15th in the country at the position.

Not all of Williams' numbers jump off the page, but he's had that production in a run-oriented offensive scheme that has ranked near the bottom of college football in many passing categories. Compared to the rest of his teammates, Williams' numbers are far and away tops on the team. And Williams' 6-foot-4, 250-pound frame certainly has the look of an NFL tight end.

The Gophers have enjoyed seeing Williams emerge as one of the top tight ends in college football. They just hope Jan. 1 won't be his last game in maroon and gold.

"It's ultimately whatever happens is his decision," said Minnesota quarterback Mitch Leidner, a major beneficiary of Williams' productive season. "I always say we were part of coach (Jerry) Kill's first recruiting class here. We came here to put a stamp on it and change the program around. I'd hate to see him go, but at the same time, he's going to do what's best for him."

Kill has produced several NFL players in his first few years as the Gophers head coach. Former quarterback MarQueis Gray is now a tight end with the Buffalo Bills. Two seniors from last year's team, defensive tackle Ra'Shede Hageman and safety Brock Vereen, were drafted by the Falcons and Bears, respectively, and both played as rookies.

But all of those players left after their senior seasons, meaning Kill has yet to have an early departure from the program. Might Williams be the first?

"Ultimately, it's his decision and I support whatever happens. All I can do is give advice," Kill said. "If he comes back, he'll make a good decision. If he doesn't, he'll make a good decision. We'll be excited either way."

Williams can also lean on someone else for advice along the way: his father. Brian Williams knows what it's like to play in the NFL, as he spent nine years as an offensive lineman with the New York Giants following his playing days with the Gophers. Brian played in the NFL until 1999, meaning Maxx got to spend some time around the Giants' locker room as a young kid.

Maxx Williams said his dad is his biggest critic; his parents travel to every game (they haven't missed one yet) and record all of Minnesota's games on TV so Brian can watch them back and call Maxx with critiques and pointers. But Brian insists he won't be in his son's ear as Maxx prepares for a rather big decision at season's end.

"We don't talk about it," Brian Williams said of the NFL. "The only thing he's focused on right now is the bowl game and practice last week and getting ready to go down to Orlando on Thursday. That's not even a conversation right now."

When Williams played his prep football at Waconia (Minn.) High School, he did so as a quarterback. But everyone knew he wouldn't play quarterback in college, so he transitioned to tight end. Williams' redshirt year in 2012 was essential for learning a new position, and he went on to lead the Gophers in receiving yards in 2013 as a redshirt freshman.

Williams got even better during his sophomore season as he became a matchup nightmare for opposing teams. He's provided plenty of highlight-reel catches along the way, too -- some that have impressed even his toughest critic.

"Obviously it's been a great ride," Brian Williams said. "I think the fun part is, going back coaching him in pee wees and then through high school and then watching him develop in college, being able to experience it myself and now looking at your son doing it, there's a lot of dreams that are already made. That's the fun thing about it."

Williams was a highly touted prospect out of Waconia, ranked among the best players in the state of Minnesota. He ultimately chose to stay home and play for the Gophers, even though Minnesota won just three games in both 2010 and 2011.

Brian Williams has seen the program endure many ups and downs, and he told his son he could be part of the group that helps bring the Gophers back to prominence. So far Maxx has done his part.

"When we sat down the first time with coach Kill, the first thing he asked Maxx was, 'I know we're kind of sitting at the bottom here, but if you want to be part of a special team that can make this Gopher team get to the top, come on board,'" Brian Williams said. "A lot of great things have happened since then in three years."

It's hard to find too many flaws in Williams' game, but he'll be the first to admit his blocking can improve. He cites the job that fellow tight ends Drew Goodger and Lincoln Plsek have done as blockers and admits he models that part of his game after them. Williams has proven he can catch; to play tight end in the NFL, blocking will also be essential.

But there's a chance Williams will have another year or two to hone that skill with the Gophers. It's almost scary to think just how good Williams might become by the end of his senior year if he opts to stay in college for that long.

For now, Williams isn't worried about it. He's already been a part of a Gophers team that has helped Minnesota's program take a big step forward. It could take another big step by beating Missouri on Jan. 1 in Orlando.

"It was a fun season, but we've still got one more (game)," Williams said. "It's kind of cool to look back at the season and what we did, what we accomplished. But it doesn't mean anything if we go down to Orlando and lose the game."

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