Projecting where Charles Williams and other Fresno-area NFL draft hopefuls will end up
Charles Williams accomplished a lot when he played for the Bullard High football team.
He did the same when he played for UNLV and set a big record along the way.
Williams is hoping to get an opportunity in the NFL and keep the success going.
He and several other Fresno-area players will find out where they will be headed during the NFL draft, which is being held Thursday-Saturday in Las Vegas.
“As a kid, it’s always a dream to hear a team call you or somebody mentioning your name,” Williams told The Bee. “It’s exciting, but once you get the call, you settle down and know the business because they want you for a reason.”
Williams kept getting better each season when he played for Bullard.
He was The Bee’s Co-Offensive Player of the Year as a senior and was a two-time County/Metro Athletic Conference Offensive Player of the Year. He ran for 2,142 yards and 28 touchdowns as a senior, which both rank as the second-most in the school’s single-season history. He tied the school record when he scored 48 career touchdowns.
“I had the hunger to make it to varsity,” he said. “If it wasn’t for JV, I would not be where I am at right now because I knew what it took to be at the top and I just wanted to make sure that I wasn’t wasting anybody’s time. I wanted my dad to know that I’m really serious about football. Bullard helped me because the weight room we trained in, is like in college. On the field, we practice like we’re trying to win the national championship. When you get to college, it is so much easier instead of having to worry about catching up.”
When Williams arrived at UNLV, he showed what he’s capable of when he had a decent showing in his first game as a Rebel.
In his first game, he rushed 12 times for 96 yards and one touchdown.
Several seasons later, Williams became the all-time leading rusher with 4,196 yards.
“I grew a lot,” Williams said. “A lot of growth in that process in becoming a man and understanding that at times people are going to be in your corner and sometimes they’re not. I knew when I went to UNLV, it was all business, and becoming the all-time leading rusher is an amazing accomplishment. My (other) biggest one is getting my degree in journalism and media studies. I can say I came out of UNLV successfully and handled my business.”
Williams will be with family in Vegas when the NFL draft gets going.
While he admits it will be “nerve-racking,” he said he is ready to take the step in the NFL and looking forward to helping a team whether he gets drafted or gets an undrafted free agent deal.
“It’s been exhilarating,” Williams said. “I can say that I worked my tail off and I’m ready for the next step, and whatever team gets me, they’re going to get somebody who is hungrier and determined to make the team, through special teams or being at my position.”
Fresno-area draft prospects, projections
The Bee takes a look at local players who could possibly be selected or get an undrafted free agent deal.
▪ OL Alex Akingbulu, Fresno State: This past season, he was named to the first team All-Mountain West after starting 13 games at right tackle. Projection: Undrafted free agent.
▪ DT Kevin Atkins, Fresno State: He reportedly had a top-30 visit with the Green Bay Packers. He finished this past season with 41 tackles and seven sacks. Projection: Undrafted free agent.
▪ CB DaRon Bland, Fresno State: Had many visits with NFL teams such as Indianapolis Colts, Miami Dolphins, San Francisco 49ers, Green Bay Packers, Denver Broncos, New York Jets and the Dallas Cowboys. He finished with 45 tackles and two interceptions. Projection: Round 7/undrafted free agent.
▪ DT/DE Ryan Boehm, Fresno State: He said he had contact with the Indianapolis Colts, Carolina Panthers, New York Giants and the Los Angeles Chargers. He played in 13 games and had 24 tackles (17 solo). He also finished with 2.5 sacks. Projection: Undrafted free agent.
▪ LB Tyson Maeva, Fresno State: Finished this past season with 44 tackles (22 solo), 1.5 sacks and 5.5 tackles for a loss. He played in 10 games and miss three because of an injury. Projection: Undrafted free agent.
▪ LB Aron Mosby, Sanger/Fresno State: Spoke to the Packers, Colts, Broncos, Chargers, Los Angeles Rams, 49ers, Las Vegas Raiders, Seattle Seahawks, New Orleans Saints, Minnesota Vikings, Houston Texans, Carolina Panthers and Philadelphia Eagles. He finished the season with 40 tackles (24 solo), 15.5 tackle for loss for 66 yards, six sacks, six forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries, two quarterback hurries and three broken up passes. Projection: Undrafted free agent.
▪ RB Ronnie Rivers, Fresno State: Participated at the NFL combine in Indianapolis and also the 49ers local pro day. He finished at Fresno State as the record holder in career touchdowns scored (52), rushing touchdowns (40), receiving touchdowns by a running back (12), receiving yards by a running back (1,417) and pass receptions by a running back (150). Projection: Undrafted free agent.
▪ DT Leveel Tatum, Fresno State/Arizona: Could he follow in his uncle’s foot steps in the NFL? Jack Tatum played for the Oakland Raiders played in the NFL from 1971-1980. It’s quite possible he can. Projection: Undrafted free agent.
▪ LB Tre Walker, Central/Idaho: He led the Vandals with 105 tackles. Walker had a forced fumble. He played in the East-West Shrine Bowl. Projection: Undrafted free agent.
▪ RB Charles Williams, Bullard/UNLV: He said he talked to the Raiders, Dolphins, Broncos, Cardinals and Chargers. Projection: Round 7/ undrafted free agent.
This story was originally published April 28, 2022 at 11:28 AM.
