TicketsGREEN BAY, Wis. – Cincinnati football offensive lineman John Williams was selected in the 2025 NFL Draft on Saturday by the Green Bay Packers in the seventh round (No. 250 overall).
Williams' selection extends the Bearcats' draft streak to 10 consecutive years, dating back to 2016. His selection marks the sixth time ever that a Cincinnati player has been drafted by the Packers, and he is the first Green Bay draftee from UC since Josiah Deguara (third round) in 2020.
He is first Cincinnati offensive lineman taken in the NFL Draft since James Hudson (Cleveland Browns, 4th Round) in 2021.
Williams also became the 14th member of the 2021 College Football Playoff team to be selected in the NFL Draft.
"Congratulations to John and his family," Cincinnati football head coach Scott Satterfield said. "John has been a terrific left tackle for us the past two seasons, and I believe his best football is still ahead of him. He's been a leader for our offense and a tough, durable guy— he never missed a game since I got here. The Packers are getting a great Bearcat who's ready to make his mark in the NFL."
Williams wrapped up his career at Cincinnati by starting 24 straight games at left tackle and appeared in 52 games total as a Bearcat. He appeared in 12 games, starting three, for the historic 2021 team.
This past season, he achieved an 85.2 pass blocking grade from Pro Football Focus, which ranked fourth among Big 12 tackles.
Williams helped running back Corey Kiner rush for back-to-back 1,000-yard seasons in 2023 and 2024, making him the fifth rusher in school history to do so. His abilities in the trenches also helped UC rank fifth in the nation in rushing (217.1) in 2023.
Off the field, Williams was an aerospace engineering major at UC.
During the pre-draft process, Williams was invited to participate in the NFL Scouting Combine and the Shrine Bowl as well. Williams was among the bench press leaders at the combine, his 29 reps tying for sixth overall and ranking tied for fourth among offensive linemen.
Williams' selection extends the Bearcats' draft streak to 10 consecutive years, dating back to 2016. His selection marks the sixth time ever that a Cincinnati player has been drafted by the Packers, and he is the first Green Bay draftee from UC since Josiah Deguara (third round) in 2020.
He is first Cincinnati offensive lineman taken in the NFL Draft since James Hudson (Cleveland Browns, 4th Round) in 2021.
Williams also became the 14th member of the 2021 College Football Playoff team to be selected in the NFL Draft.
"Congratulations to John and his family," Cincinnati football head coach Scott Satterfield said. "John has been a terrific left tackle for us the past two seasons, and I believe his best football is still ahead of him. He's been a leader for our offense and a tough, durable guy— he never missed a game since I got here. The Packers are getting a great Bearcat who's ready to make his mark in the NFL."
Williams wrapped up his career at Cincinnati by starting 24 straight games at left tackle and appeared in 52 games total as a Bearcat. He appeared in 12 games, starting three, for the historic 2021 team.
This past season, he achieved an 85.2 pass blocking grade from Pro Football Focus, which ranked fourth among Big 12 tackles.
Williams helped running back Corey Kiner rush for back-to-back 1,000-yard seasons in 2023 and 2024, making him the fifth rusher in school history to do so. His abilities in the trenches also helped UC rank fifth in the nation in rushing (217.1) in 2023.
Off the field, Williams was an aerospace engineering major at UC.
During the pre-draft process, Williams was invited to participate in the NFL Scouting Combine and the Shrine Bowl as well. Williams was among the bench press leaders at the combine, his 29 reps tying for sixth overall and ranking tied for fourth among offensive linemen.