#42

Makai Williams

LB · Tulane · R-Jr. · #42

Returning to Tulane for 2026
R-Jr. · Cibolo, TX → Cibolo Steele HS
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This season's coverage starts August 26 — check back once kickoff hits.

Makai Williams

LB · Tulane · Jr · #42

Limited signal — not enough coverage for a story yet.

Career Arc

HS
Recruit
★★★
#1111 national
CFB
College
Tulane
2023–2025
NFL
NFL Draft
Not drafted (yet)

Coaching Lineage · 2023–2025

2 coaches
2023
Slade Nagle
Tulane
2024
Jon Sumrall
Tulane
era →
2025
Jon Sumrall
Tulane

Coaching transition mid-career: Slade Nagle → Jon Sumrall. Worth noting in scheme + development context.

2025 snapshot

Season context · Team result + system

2023Tulane11-3HC: Slade Nagle · Run-leaning
2024Tulane9-5HC: Jon Sumrall · Run-heavy
2025Tulane11-3HC: Jon Sumrall · Run-leaning

Career stats

SeasonTeam
2025Tulane25113.01.0------
2024Tulane760.00.01----
2023Tulane210.00.0------
Career34183.01.01----

Signature game

SIGNATURE GAME · Week 15 · 2025

W 34–21

vs North Texas

1 TOT

How he plays

Play style

Is steady in every phase without a signature trait.

CFB Index positional classification

2026 Outlook

Tulane

2026 Depth chart

Projected starter

Linebacker · Tulane

Returning around him

  • 15% of 2024 offensive production back (Heavy turnover)
  • Transfer portal: -7 net (20 in / 27 out)

2026 Award watch

No preseason watch lists yet (most drop June 15 – July 15)

Tulane · Last season: 11-3 (AP #17) · Talent rank #68 · 2026 recruiting class #64

DNA match

Player DNA

Balanced Linebacker

Solid in every phase without a signature dimension.

LB

His 2025 production profile sits closest to TD Blackmon’s 2021 season.

TD Blackmon

81%match

Air Force · 2021

#2

Will Harbour

Navy · 2022

81%
#3

Mikai Gbayor

Nebraska · 2023

81%
#4

DJ Schramm

Boise State · 2021

80%
#5

Vonta Bentley

Clemson · 2021

79%

Matches TD on

Weight
Tackle volume
TFL rate

Differs from TD on

Hurry rate (higher)

Not enough data yet for this comparison.

As a junior, his production profile tracks closest to Max Alford's junior season at BYU (2025).

Max Alford

81%match

BYU · 2025

#2

Kyle Kelly

Ohio · 2022

81%
#3

Hansky Paillant

App State · 2022

77%
#4

Julien Davis

East Carolina · 2025

77%
#5

Caden Johnson

Ball State · 2025

76%

Matches Max on

Weight
Tackle volume
TFL rate

Heisman trajectory

Heisman futures · sportsbook market

#21 in market ▼ from #18 · 6 books

+40002.4% implied▼ lengthened from +3000

Heisman Trajectory · 2025

Peak #7749

Final rank
#7749
Avg #8888.3
Finalist prob 0%

Peaked at #7749 this season.

Background

2024: Played in all 14 games…Totaled seven tackles and a pass breakup. 2023: Played in nine games and registered a tackle Prior to Tulane: School’s all-time leading tackler at Cibolo Steele…Named to All-American National Combine Team…First team all-state honoree…Played middle linebacker and outsi...

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