It’s not easy replacing your top receiver from a season ago, especially when he was the Heisman Trophy winner like DeVonta Smith.
For Alabama it isn’t so much as finding the one missing piece but rather making it up by committee and it helps when you gain players like Ohio State transfer Jameson Williams who joins the receiver room with some serious football under his belt.
Crimson Tide head coach Nick Saban raved about William’s ability and experience he has already brought to the team during fall camp.
“He’s done great. He’s a really good player. He’s got really good speed,” Saban said to reporters on Wednesday. “You can tell he’s an experienced player. He’s played at a high level against good competition. And he’s very bright. So he’s picked up on things and learned the offense very quickly. So we’re encouraged with what he’s done, and I’m sure he’s going to make a really positive contribution to our team and be a featured guy in some ways.”
Williams originally resided with the Ohio State Buckeyes where he spent the first two seasons of his collegiate career. He never found the consistent playing time he desired for as he caught a total of just 15 passes for 256 yards and three touchdowns, with a career high of nine catches coming during the 2020 season.
But Williams shined where it mattered most as he put together an impressive performance against Clemson in the College Football Playoff Semi-final catching three passes for 62 yards which included a 45 yard touchdown reception.
Following the 52-24 loss in the championship to the Crimson Tide, Williams’ play at the end of the season didn’t justify his return to the Buckeyes as he entered the transfer portal in late April where he would eventually end up with the defending champs.
As he now begins the second half of his career in Tuscaloosa, Williams has the opportunity to be a big difference maker in the Crimson Tide’s receivers room. Alabama will look to the Saint Louis, MO native to kick its offense to another gear with his electrifying speed.
“Obviously, Jameson’s a fast guy,” Bolden said. “We have a lot of fast guys. He has some experience playing at Ohio State, so bringing a little experience from that, he opens it up just like with Metchie and other players. We have our own ways and skills with how we run routes, catch balls, get open, finish plays, and everybody brings a different attribute to the table. He’s just another guy that brings certain attributes that help us as an offense.”
*Get the BEST Alabama football insider information, message board access, and recruiting coverage today! SIGN UP HERE to unlock our subscriber only content!*
Patrick Dowd is a Reporter for Touchdown Alabama Magazine. You can follow him on Twitter, via Pat_Dowd77
