Michael Williams: 5 Things You Need to Know About the Alabama TE

Alabama is a football factory—in case you have been living under a rock on Mars for the past half decade—and the tight end position is no exception.

Two years after producing D.J. Williams, a Mackey Award winner who has done little to date in the NFL thus far, Michael Williams makes his way to the NFL. Check out these five things you should know about him.

Combine results courtesy of NFL.com. College stats courtesy of sports-reference.com.

Background

Full Name: Michael Williams

Birthday: September 8, 1990

Hometown: Reform, Alabama

School: Alabama

Year: Senior

Williams came to Alabama as a defensive end out of high school. He moved to tight end right away with the Crimson Tide, however, despite the presence of D.J. Williams on the roster.

Collegiate Stats

Michael Williams was playing behind D.J. Williams for the first two years of his college career. His numbers did jump when he finally got more playing time in 2011, but they are unspectacular as a whole.

Receiving

Year	Rec	Yds	Avg	TD
2009	3	29	9.7	0
2010	8	100	12.5	1
2011	16	191	11.9	2
2012	24	183	7.6	4
Career	51	503	9.9	7

Draft Process

Measurables

Height: 6'5"

Weight: 278 lbs.

Pro Day Results

40-yard dash: 5.4 seconds

Broad jump: 97.0 inches

Vertical jump: 35.5 inches

20-yard shuttle: 4.88 seconds

Three-cone drill: 8.10 seconds

Michael Williams didn't participate at the combine, and it's a good thing he didn't. Had he put up those horrific pro day numbers, he might have earned some real scorn.

A Blocking Tight End

A lackluster pro day only highlighted Michael Williams' weaknesses and strengths. He is not going to the NFL to be a big pass-catching threat. In fact, he is almost the antithesis to his predecessor, D.J. Williams.

Michael will make his money as a blocker at the next level. Whatever extra he can contribute in the passing game will be gravy (via NFL.com):

"

Williams looks like a lean offensive tackle, and often blocks like one; he might have the speed of a lineman, as well, but his solid receiving hands and red zone presence will virtually guarentee that he sticks in the NFL for a very long time as a team's second tight end.

"

Observations

There is relatively little said about Michael Williams, being one of the least talked about prospects at his position. There is also more than one Michael Williams to look for. Here is what Twitter had to say about Alabama's iteration:

"

Top 10 TEs 1) Tyler Eifert 2) Travis Kelce 3) Dion Sims 4) Zach Ertz 5) Jordan Reed 6) Michael Williams 7) Vance McDonald 8) Gavin Escobar

— Jayson Braddock (@JaysonBraddock) April 21, 2013"

"

TE Michael Williams weighed in at 276lbs and only did position drills. He has visited 3 teams and should also be a late-round pick.

— Senior Bowl (@seniorbowl) April 11, 2013"

"

Bama TE Michael Williams (89) has been outstanding in the run game. 2 big runs behind his seal blocks on perimeter.

— Daniel Jeremiah (@MoveTheSticks) January 8, 2013"

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