Roydell Williams, RB, FSU
Size:
Height: 5’10” | Weight: 214 lbs
Accomplishments:
Four-star recruit
“Roydell Williams is a savvy between-the-tackles runner with great footwork, intentional decisions, and is a trusted third-down back.”
Strengths:
Vision
Between-the-tackles movement
Follows blocks
Pass protection
Concerns:
Top speed
Tackle-breaking
Creativity
Film Analysis:
Having to fight for everything in the Alabama backfield before transferring to Flordia State for his senior season, Roydell Williams earned the backup role to Jase McClellan in 2023. He was never “the guy” in his time at Alabama, but he carved out a respectable role and accumulated 1,165 yards on 234 carries, eleven touchdowns, and averaged five yards per carry. Williams looks the part at 5-foot-10 and 214 pounds and won’t shy away from contact; his physicality earned him a trusted role in pass protection. He entered the transfer portal as a four-star transfer and landed at Florida State, looking to back up a 560-yard campaign from 2023.
Williams is an intentional runner who uses his eyes and phonebooth agility to get to the proper hole and follow his blocks. He is a physical runner with enough juice to press gaps and “pop” to the open hole when he moves linebackers; he needs to press gaps to create more run lanes consistently. His jump cut at the line of scrimmage is quick and efficient, allowing Williams to bounce outside occasionally and make arm tacklers miss. His five-yard burst quickly gets to the second level, past linebackers, and into space, where he can weave into the open field. He’s at his best between the tackles, making one cut, and going, using his physicality to grind out extra yards and fall forward.
He’s a sound pass protector with a “want-to” attitude, upper-body strength, and technique to get the job done. He keeps his head on a swivel and usually locates the free rusher to help the offensive line or pick up the blitz. He has multiple ways to do the job, whether with his hands or by cutting the rusher. While the production wasn’t there, Williams is a natural pass-catcher with soft hands out of the backfield.
Williams did an excellent job springing well-blocked runs for big plays but was caught by defenders when his top speed maxed out. He's not an outside zone scheme fit without the speed to truly test a defense's edges. He’s not the most creative runner, his agility is limited in space, and he isn’t going to make a ton of defenders by stringing moves together. Continuing to grow as a gap-pressing running back will maximize his skill set and grind out moderate gains.
Williams is a fantastic complement to a speedster in the backfield, and his vision and pass protection will earn him a trusted role at Florida State.
Prospect Projection: Day 3 — Developmental Traits
Written By: Daniel Harms
Exposures: South Florida (2023), Kentucky (2023), Mississippi State (2023), Georgia (2023)
