Tyleik Williams committed to Ohio State during the COVID-19 pandemic as a four-star recruit weighing around 270 pounds from Stonewall Jackson High School in Virginia. However, by the time he arrived in Columbus, his weight had significantly increased to nearly 360 pounds.

Ohio State defensive line coach Larry Johnson had maintained regular communication with Williams but only through Zoom, where he could only see Williams’ face and upper body. It wasn’t until Williams arrived on campus that Johnson and the coaching staff were initially surprised by his physical transformation — initially being the key word.

“We were all like, ‘Oh my God. What happened here?’” Johnson shared during a conference call after the Lions selected Williams with the 28th overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft.

Despite the drastic weight gain, Williams’ athletic testing remained remarkable for someone his size, running the 40-yard dash in 4.9 seconds with a 10-yard split of about 1.6 seconds. That’s when Johnson knew they had something special.

“We said, ‘Ok, we’re good. We’re good.’ That’s unique, right?” Johnson remarked. “He’s always been quick. He’s got running back-like skills for a big guy with that kind of frame.”

Williams worked with the Ohio State dietician, trained rigorously, and reduced his weight to 317 pounds by the end of his freshman year. This transformation made his mobility even more impressive, and combined with what Johnson described as one of the highest football IQs he’s encountered, Williams blossomed into one of the most promising players Johnson has coached in his three-decade college career.

“I’m a big fan of Aaron Donald,” Johnson said. “His ability to move his body so quickly. Aaron might not be as heavy as Tyleik, but their movement abilities are similar. Tyleik shows that same knack for quick, precise movement.”

It’s an ambitious comparison to mention a future Hall of Famer like Aaron Donald alongside a rookie with much to prove, but Johnson clarified his point.

“Don’t get me wrong, I’m not saying he’s Aaron Donald, but Tyleik’s movement skills — his ability to change direction — are impressive. Donald excels at what we call ‘Jab-Ole’ inside-outside moves, and Tyleik can similarly switch between power and finesse.”

“Aaron Donald is in a league of his own,” Johnson continued. “I’m not putting that level of expectation on Tyleik, but there are certain movements Tyleik makes that are reminiscent of Donald’s fluidity and strength.”

Throughout his career at Penn State and Ohio State, Johnson has coached 15 First-Team All-Americans, and he believes Williams stands out due to his quickness, explosive first step, and rare flexibility for his size.

“He’s unlike anyone else I’ve coached,” Johnson noted. “He’s unique. I’ve had great interior players, but none with his level of twitch. Dre’Mont Jones was agile, but he wasn’t 334 pounds. Tyleik plays at 334 with the agility of a 260-pound player. That’s truly rare. He’s blessed, and I think he could be an exceptional fit in Detroit.”

Johnson also praised Williams’ football IQ, highlighting that his combination of intelligence and athleticism makes him a potential game-changer in the Lions’ defense.

“You can see that he’s a student of the game,” Johnson said. “He’s highly coachable. You show him once, and he gets it. That’s what sets him apart.

“He’s got the chance to elevate his skills because he understands how to play with intensity. Young players must realize that playing hard while mastering technique can rapidly develop their skill set. That’s what Tyleik accomplished, which is why he’s where he is now.”