Defensive back Carl Williams IV has all the skills in the world to be great. And he was recently given a complimentary comparison as he prepares for his first season in Eugene.
The Oregon Ducks have extremely high hopes for redshirt junior defensive back Carl Williams IV.
Williams had spent three seasons with the Baylor Bears, but had missed the better part of the past two seasons battling knee injuries.
However, the Ducks think he has the potential to be something special.
"He's kind of like Jadon Canady," a source told CBS Sports. "Might be a little bigger and a little more talented, but same player. Might go get drafted."
Canady, Oregon’s starting safety last season, delivered an impressive season before getting selected in the fourth round of the 2026 NFL Draft to the Kansas City Chiefs.
And that’s big shoes to fill for Williams.
Williams is an uber-talented defensive back, as before he went down with his knee injury in 2024, he was in the midst of a career year.
In eight games played with Baylor, he was an aggressive tackler, with 35 total tackles, five tackles for loss, a sack, a pass break up, and a forced fumble.
But if the Ducks can get someone who played slightly similar to Canady, it’s a major win for the program.
It’s the health issues that make him more of a question mark than a matter of fact.
However, what would the Ducks be getting out of a healthy Williams?
As mentioned before, Oregon is getting a player who loves to initiate contact, and is difficult to break his tackles. What he does at an exceptional level, is that he manages to bridge the gap almost immediately.
In addition, he also has great peripheral vision, as he can keep his eyes on the ball while staying close to his man.
He’s expected to start in the STAR position this season and is getting an incredible opportunity to shine with one of college football’s elite programs. But make no mistake here, if he slips up just an ounce, there are plenty of talented defensive backs
Williams will have Na’eem Offord, Dorian Brew, Davon Benjamin, Peyton Woodyard, among others that will likely be gunning for a starting spot.
The question has never been about talent for Williams. It’s whether or not he can get back to where he was before he was injured.
If he can? The Ducks just may be in a fantastic position.
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