Gophers tight end Maxx Williams won't talk about entering NFL draft

For Maxx Williams, the NFL can wait — this month, at least.

The highly decorated Gophers tight end is eligible to enter the 2015 draft as a third-year sophomore and has been projected as a potential first- or second-round selection.

The deadline for underclassmen to apply for the draft is Jan. 15, but Williams made it clear Wednesday he doesn't want to talk about it publicly until after the Citrus Bowl.

The Gophers recently named Williams one of three captains for 2015, along with quarterback Mitch Leidner and cornerback Briean Boddy-Calhoun. Asked if that means he's coming back, Williams smiled and said, "We'll find out."

"After the bowl game," he added. "We've got to worry about the bowl game."

Williams did confirm that he submitted his name to the NFL Draft Advisory Board, a common step for underclassmen. The board's talent evaluators study each player's case and list them in three categories — first-rounder, second-rounder or none of the above.

Defensive tackle Ra'Shede Hageman used the board's advice when deciding to return to the Gophers for his senior season. He climbed to the second round, going to the Falcons with the No. 37 overall pick in May.

"Most of the time, through my dealings, [the board is] pretty close on things," Gophers coach Jerry Kill said. "Ultimately, it's [the player's] decision, and I support whatever happens."

Kill referred to all the NFL expertise in Williams' corner, with a father (Brian Williams) who played center for the New York Giants and an uncle (Ron Goetz) who was drafted by the Vikings.

"If he comes back, he'll make a good decision," Kill said. "And if he doesn't, he'll make a good decision. And we'll be excited either way."

The Gophers senior class includes several draft prospects, including David Cobb, Damien Wilson, Cedric Thompson, Derrick Wells and Cameron Botticelli.

Williams is believed to be the team's only non-senior seriously pondering the draft. Cornerbacks Eric Murray and Boddy-Calhoun, linebacker De'Vondre Campbell and punter Peter Mortell are other candidates, but all are expected to return.

Some draft analysts have listed Williams atop a relatively thin crop of tight end prospects for this draft. The 6-4, 250-pounder from Waconia has good blocking skills and leads the Gophers with 29 receptions for 471 yards and seven touchdowns.

"It's just like [Melvin] Gordon leaving Wisconsin — that back that's behind him [Corey Clement is] pretty dang good," Kill said. "Our job is to make sure we have good players in place, but Maxx will make that decision with his family. We'll visit with him, but he needs to do what's best for him and not anybody else."

The Associated Press named Williams a second-team All-America, the highest such honor for a Gophers player since tight end Matt Spaeth was named to the AP first team in 2006.

The Sporting News and Football Writers Association of America named Williams first-team All-America on Wednesday, adding to a list of hardware that includes the Big Ten Tight End of the Year award.

"I think I'll believe it more when the season's over," he said. "I'm still trying to stay humble and be ready for Mizzou. … It's kind of cool to look back on the season, look at what we've accomplished, what I've accomplished. But it doesn't mean anything if we go down to Orlando and lose the game."