One of the most significant statements that should embody Alabama football came on the hardwood during the Crimson Tide’s 2020-21 men’s basketball season.
When the clock hit triple zero in the Southeastern Conference Tournament Championship Game, Nate Oats was fired up as crimson and white confetti fell to the court. Alabama earned an 80-79 victory over Louisiana State University, and Herbert Jones said “there is no pressure when you are having fun.” Jones, a native of Greensboro, Ala., was the team leader, and he embraced the pressure that comes with any Alabama athletics program. Jones knew having fun, holding others accountable, and performing at your best leads to success. Alabama basketball made a run to the Sweet 16 that year before losing to the UCLA Bruins.
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Nick Saban needs the football team to have that mentality. After defeats to Tennessee and LSU, the Tide finds itself in a situation it has not been in since 2019. Alabama is out of the SEC Championship Game picture — unless the Tigers lose to Arkansas and Texas A&M — and the College Football Playoff picture. Coach Saban’s team fell to No. 9 in the latest CFP rankings. In Monday’s presser, he said Alabama ‘still has pride in its organization’ despite people writing it off. A few players talked about the team having a lot to play for. DeMarcco Hellams, a senior safety, said ‘nobody is quitting on anyone on the team.’
Roydell Williams, a junior running back, came to the Tide as an in-state product in 2020. He grew up in the culture of Alabama football, was taught the standard and expectations with it, and he wanted the pressure. Williams told the media upon leaving Hueytown (Ala.) High School that the Tide would not miss the CFP because he was coming. He said that in 2019, the year Alabama lost to LSU and Auburn. The Tide bounced back in 2020, running the table to an SEC Championship and a CFP National Championship during a COVID-shortened season. Williams also assisted the Tide to an SEC title in 2021 and CFP National Championship Game, despite having a season-ending knee injury. He has become Alabama’s physical runner in short-yardage situations, bringing power on third and fourth-down runs. Williams has three rushing touchdowns on the season in nine games.
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He said there should not be any pressure to live up to the legacy that former players laid at Alabama.
“We worked all offseason to get where we are,” Williams said. “We have to step up. We have to do what we have to do throughout the week and finish games on Saturday.”
Williams said everyone is focused on trying to bounce back from the loss to LSU.
As for his role in goal-line situations, he said he values the trust the coaching staff has in him.
“It’s time to go get it,” Williams said with a smile when he enters the game in goal-line moments. “You got to go get it and it has to be done. When they put me in those situations, you trust me. It is a trust situation, so it has to be done.”
During his interview, Williams said the word “finish” several times.
He has a national championship ring and two SEC Championship rings, so he knows the importance of winning. Alabama can position itself for a good bowl matchup if it finishes well against Mississippi and Auburn.
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Stephen M. Smith is the managing editor and senior writer for Touchdown Alabama Magazine. You can “like” him on Facebook or “follow” him on Twitter, via @CoachingMSmith.
