We have made it to July and SEC Football Media Days are coming soon.
The University of Alabama looks to return to the College Football Playoff in the fall and win a national championship. Nick Saban has several talented players, but which ones will emerge as the most impactful?
The staff at Touchdown Alabama Magazine will spotlight numerous players for the upcoming season.
After looking at Jase McClellan, Roydell Williams is next in breaking down running backs.
Roydell Williams
Classification: Senior
Hometown: Hueytown, Ala.
Position: Running Back
Size: 5-10/214 pounds
2022 stats: 250 rushing yards (56 carries), 37 receiving yards (five catches), four rushing touchdowns
Strengths: Size, athleticism, game experience, power, speed/shiftiness, versatility, pass-blocking, good on special teams
Weaknesses: Durability (2021 season cut short due to a leg injury), can his role expand?
Summary
Roydell Williams would be a starter for any other team in college football, but he’s been a rotation player for Alabama.
He came in the 2020 recruiting class as an elite four-star from Hueytown (Ala.) High School. Williams served as a short-yardage running back for the Crimson Tide in 2022, totaling 250 yards rushing and four touchdowns. He caught five passes for 37 yards, but special teams is where he shined last year. He contributed six tackles in covering kickoffs and punts. Williams is one of Alabama’s core special teams players, but will he see his role expand? He suffered a leg injury in the absence of Jase McClellan in 2021 against New Mexico State. The 5-foot-10, 214-pounder had 284 yards rushing, 57 yards receiving, and two touchdowns before the injury. He gives size, athleticism, experience, power, versatility, pass-blocking, and special teams excellence.
Could we see Williams in a bigger role in the fall? It comes down to how he performs in fall camp.
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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.
