Williams initially committed to USC, but flipped to Georgia in October 2021.[6][7] He was the highest-rated recruit signed by defending national champion Georgia in the 2022 recruiting cycle.[8] In July 2022, Georgia head coach Kirby Smart said of Williams: "The number one thing that stands out about Mykel is his work ethic.... I'm excited for him... He's a great young man."[8]
As a true freshman in 2022, CBS Sports rated him as a "freshman to watch",[9] and ESPN rated him as a preseason true freshman All-American.[10] He played in Georgia's 2022 season opener against No.11 Oregon and registered two quarterback hurries.[11] At the end of the season, he was named to Pro Football Focus's PFF True Freshman All-America team.[12]