DL Mykel Williams Press Conference

DL Mykel Williams

Press Conference – April 24, 2025

San Francisco 49ers

Obviously, you have been waiting on this your entire life. How does it feel to get your name called at number 11?

“It felt great, man. It’s a major blessing. I just give all the glory to God and I’m just thankful for being in this situation, in this position. I just thank the 49ers and their ownership and [president of football operations and] general manager John Lynch for selecting me and making me the pick.”

What has the last 24 hours been like for you? What has been your process day-to-day?

“It’s been pretty rapid. I’ve been really trying to just bring it in the right way. So, I’ve still been working out and stuff like that, but I’ve been just spending a lot of time with my family and my people and just being around my loved ones the last 24 hours and trying to bring it in the right way.”

Did you know the 49ers were on you to this extent? Did you feel real good after your 30 visit?

“I did after my 30 visit. I felt like we had a great connection. I wasn’t sure if they would take me or another player, but I feel like I was in the mix and just to get that call, man, it was a blessing.”

How exactly did that 30 visit go? Was there a particular coach or player that you connected with there?

“It went great, and I really connected well with the whole staff. I can’t say just one in particular, but it went well. It went great. I reviewed tape, we talked ball, and I just toured the facility and got a great feel of the building and the staff and I ended up here, so it’s a blessing.”

Can you talk a little bit about your ankle sprain last season and how difficult it was to play the whole year with that?

“Yeah, for sure. I hurt my ankle like Week One last year and then I ended up playing through it and I played on it the whole year and that really just wasn’t a smart decision at the time. I just wanted be out there with my guys. So, I was playing through a lot of pain and right now I’m a hundred percent healthy though, and I’ve been working out and moving on it like normal.”

Georgia used you all over the place, playing some 9-technique. How do you view this for your fit for the Wide 9 and what they like to do up front?

“I love it, man. I’m excited. I played some nine at Georgia, but just to be primarily nine-tech, I’m excited man. Super excited.”

What is it about your skillset that makes you a fit for that?

“I feel like because of how well I play on edges, just being in a wide nine the whole game, all the time would allow me to make more plays and would allow me to just be a better player overall and have a better career.”

What do you look forward to the most playing for a defense led by defensive coordinator Robert Saleh and the culture you’re stepping into?

“Man, I’m just excited to play for Coach Saleh and play in his scheme to where he lets the front do what the front does, which is rushing and set edges and play the run. So, I’m excited to play for Coach Saleh and play in his system and play with the great players. And I’m playing with [defensive lineman] Nick Bosa, man, I can’t wait to get to practice. I can’t wait to get to practice.”

How excited are you to play with Nick?

“Extremely. I can’t wait to learn from him, really. I’ve got so many questions.”

Defensive line coach Kris Kocurek told John Lynch and head coach Kyle Shanahan that you’re the best edge setter in college football. What does that mean to you?

“It’s amazing because it’s coming from a very valued source, so that’s major and I really appreciate that opinion on me from him.”

John spoke highly on your character after talking with you throughout the process. What is that coachability that you come with and where did it come from?

“That’s a great question. I feel like I’ve kind of been this way all my life, honestly. And it’s kind of weird to say actually, like, I don’t remember one instance, one moment or one season where I just changed. So, I kind of feel like it just gradually just got better as I’ve grown and matured.”