Alabamas Ryan Williams introduced himself to the sports world in the loudest way possible
Ryan Williams was already building a name for himself.Through three games, the 17-year-old freshman had scored four touchdowns and was establishing himself as one of quarterback Jalen Milroe’s top options.Then came Saturday night.Then, came his magnificent 75-yard touchdown catch.
Now, the 6-foot wideout has burst onto the scene with the kind of game-changing play in the early game of the year at Bryant-Denny Stadium that is usually reserved for upperclassmen.The play immediately went viral, a momentum-turning touchdown that gave Alabama the lead for good in this wild showdown of superpowers, Williams’ catch and run saving the Crimson Tide from blowing a 28-point lead against their rivals.Georgia had just scored to go ahead with 2:31 left, stunning the huge crowd of 100,077.Williams then energized them in a flash.
Covered closely, he turned back to catch a Milroe pass down the right sideline, then made an acrobatic spin move and sprinted past defenders without breaking stride.It showcased Williams’ wondrous athleticism.LeBron James, Chris Paul and Donovan Mitchell posted about it on X.
On a night when Heisman Trophy-contending quarterbacks Milroe and Carson Beck combined to throw for 813 yards and five touchdowns, a teenager was the big star of this meeting between national championship contenders.It wasn’t just this one play.
Williams, a Saraland, Ala., native, caught six passes for 177 yards.In four college games, he has 462 yards receiving on 16 receptions.
He’s averaging an absurd 28.9 yards per catch, making this look easy.He looks like a lock to be the first 1,000-yard true freshman receiver at Alabama since Amari Cooper in 2012.These are silly numbers for any receiver, especially a freshman who doesn’t turn 18 until February.
That’s what’s so scary about Williams.He’s just getting started.
He’s going to get better.He’s going to make even more of an impact, be more dynamic in the open field and precise in his route-running.
Willia...