Minnesota tight end Maxx Williams announced Friday that, as expected, he'll enter the 2015 NFL Draft.
Williams, a third-year sophomore, is coming off a very impressive season, which he capped off with a seven-catch, 98-yard, one-touchdown day in the Golden Gophers' Citrus Bowl loss to Missouri .
"We appreciate all that Maxx and his family have done for the program," Minnesota head coach Jerry Kill said in a statement. "They are great people and we wish nothing but the best for Maxx as he begins his professional career. Maxx has been an integral part in laying the foundation for our program and has helped move our team forward."
Williams (6-foot-4, 250 pounds) has freakish athletic ability, and in a tight end class that is short on stars, he'll be one of the most intriguing talents at the position.
He led Minnesota with 36 catches for 569 yards and eight touchdowns this season and was a finalist for the Mackey Award, given annually to the nation's top collegiate tight end. Williams has good bloodlines, too. His father, Brian, was a first-round pick and played center for the New York Giants from 1989-99.