Excitement is brewing in fall camp for a young Alabama player, especially after last week.
The Crimson Tide has a freshman that will be a playmaker sooner rather than later on offense.
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Ryan Williams, a former five-star wide receiver, dropped jaws in Alabama’s first scrimmage and open practice.
He had several highlights in the scrimmage, including a 50-yard touchdown catch.
It appears that he has a connection with quarterback Jalen Milroe as he caught multiple passes from the redshirt junior in Sunday’s open practice at Bryant-Denny Stadium. Williams is a fluid route runner with marquee track speed. The 6-foot-1, 175-pounder was a marquee weapon at Saraland (Ala.) High School, and the 17-year-old is showing off his explosiveness for the Tide.
He was interchanged between the first and second-team units; however, Williams got extensive work with the first team offense.
Kalen DeBoer, Nick Sheridan, and JaMarcus Shephard look to run a lot of sets with three receivers in them. Williams’ skill set will make it difficult for defenders to keep a hold of him. Julio Jones started the success of freshmen receivers for Alabama in 2008, but Amari Cooper, Calvin Ridley, Jerry Jeudy, DeVonta Smith, Henry Ruggs III, and Jaylen Waddle continued the dominance of freshmen making plays early.
Sources close to Touchdown Alabama Magazine called Williams ‘special’ after the scrimmage.
He is making it difficult for the coaching staff to keep him off the field.
Williams is about to become the next young face to be a superstar for Alabama football.
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Stephen M. Smith is the senior writer for Touchdown Alabama Magazine. You can “like” him on Facebook or “follow” him on Twitter, via @CoachingMSmith.
