Tyleik Williams' old position coach doesn't want to put too much pressure on him ... but the first comparison he made for the Lions new defensive tackle was none other than Aaron Donald.
"A couple guys he really reminds me of," said Ohio State defensive line coach Larry Johnson. "I'm a big fan of Aaron Donald. The ability to move his body so quick, Aaron's probably not as heavy as Tyleik, but the ability to move and change direction, I think Tyleik does it really well."
Donald was an eight-time All-Pro, three-time Defensive Player of the Year and is arguably the greatest defensive tackle of all time. Williams was drafted 28th overall by the Lions Thursday night. They also have different bodies, Donald 6'1, 280, Williams 6'3, 334.
"Don't get me wrong," said Johnson, who coached Williams all four years at Ohio State, "I'm not saying he's Aaron Donald ... but Aaron Donald is really good at going, what we call, 'Jab-Ole inside-outside.' And then he can go power. I think Tyleik has the same kind of movement because he can go power, and he can go finesse up the field if you give him the opportunity.
"But you know, Aaron Donald was in a league by himself. I don't want to put that pressure on Tyleik going into the league as Aaron Donald, but there are some things that he does that Aaron Donald does real easy, and Tyleik has the same kind of movement skills. But Aaron Donald is really special. I don't think there's many guys like him."
Johnson, who's been a defensive coach in college for 30 years, went on to say the same for Williams: "He may look like somebody in the NFL, but to me, he's never looked like anybody I coached in college football. He's different. He's got a different set. I've coached some great players, inside players, but not as quite as twitchy as him."
The other comparison Johnson offered for Williams was Seahawks defensive linemen and former Buckeye Dre'Mont Jones. And that might be a little more realistic for Williams, in terms of production. Jones has averaged about 5.0 sacks and 35 tackles per year over his six NFL seasons.
Johnson said that "Jones comes close" to Williams in terms of twitchiness, but "Jones wasn't 334" like Williams, you know what I mean? This guy's 334 pounds playing like a guy at 260, and that's uncommon for a guy to have that skill set. So, he's been blessed. And I think he has a great opportunity to be a real great fit in Detroit."
Williams should benefit from playing alongside Alim McNeill, once McNeill makes a full recovery from his torn ACL. That exposure to a rising star at his position is "really important for him to see what greatness looks like and give him a chance to chase it," said Johnson.
