He grew up in an Alabama football culture as an in-state product and played at Bryant-Denny Stadium in a Class 6A State Championship Game last year, but he is still adjusting to his stardom at the University of Alabama.
Ryan “Hollywood” Williams, a freshman, is one of the most electric wide receivers in college football.
He should still be at Saraland (Ala.) High School; however, he reclassified to be in the 2024 recruiting class for the Crimson Tide.
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At 17 years old, he’s the most mature and highly discussed freshman for the Tide.
Williams had an incredible debut last week against Western Kentucky, catching two passes for 139 yards and two touchdowns.
His explosive touchdowns of 84 and 55 yards had social media going crazy. He earned Freshman of the Week honors from the Southeastern Conference and Tom Luginbill of ESPN dubbed him ‘the next Amari Cooper.’ Williams now has a podcast with teammate and best friend, Jaylen Mbakwe, called New Wave. It dives into the journey and experience both players are having as freshmen. Williams has had several interactions with Tide fans before, but he shared a hilarious wild encounter on campus.
These Bama fans are DIFFERENT 😂 @Ryanwms1 @JayMbakwe pic.twitter.com/C0HKXsgyGM
— New Wave Podcast 🎙️ (@TheNewWaveShow) September 4, 2024
“I had no idea these fans were this crazy, dog,” Williams said.
“My first week on campus. I just got here, bro. They got a little cheer camp going on or whatever. They having a good time. I walk out of the facility right to my car. I’m thinking it’s sweet. I’m thinking it is smooth. I’m seeing a crowd cheerleaders. I was like, oh, I guess it is a cheer camp going on. I promise you not. Ryan, Ryan. I’m like, no. I’m trying to slide on, act like I don’t hear them. Boom, they sprinting. I said, no way they are going to start sprinting. They hit the corner. Now, I can’t run. So I just got to turn at this point. I got to accept my fate. Okay, so at first it was just one team. We got two, three. Every team that passed by after that, it was like, who’s that? Ryan Williams. Ryan Williams. I’m sitting there taking pictures for the next hour. I’m telling you.”
Welcome to Alabama football, Hollywood Williams. When you are talented, electric, special, and an in-state product, fans want to be around you. Williams has handled the attention, but he’s looking forward to torching South Florida’s secondary this weekend.
He is seeing just how much this fanbase appreciates him for choosing the Tide.
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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.
