Kirby Smart has had his hands full with coaching against marquee freshman wide receivers since taking the head coaching position at the University of Georgia in 2016.
He dealt with the trio of Jerry Jeudy, DeVonta Smith, and Henry Ruggs III for Alabama in the 2018 College Football Playoff National Championship Game to finish the 2017 season.
Ruggs caught a touchdown pass against Smart’s secondary and Smith ended the matchup with the most iconic touchdown catch in Crimson Tide history. Jaylen Waddle hurt Smart’s defense in the 2018 Southeastern Conference Championship Game as a freshman with four receptions for 113 yards and a touchdown.
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Ryan Williams, a former five-star, becomes the latest freshman to try to offset the Bulldogs.
He has a touchdown catch in each of Alabama’s first three games. Williams leads the Tide for receptions (10), receiving yards (285), and touchdowns (four). The 17-year-old has been a tremendous surprise for Alabama, regardless of the fanfare he came with from Saraland (Ala.) High School.
Smart has a challenge on his hands, but he is set to coach against another incredible freshman.
“He’s extremely talented,” Smart said about Williams in Wednesday’s SEC Coaches Teleconference.
“A kid we recruited. He came over and saw us several times. He’s a delightful personality. He’s fun to be around and a great kid.”
Alabama and Georgia are off this week. Both schools are preparing for an SEC showdown next week on Saban Field at Bryant-Denny Stadium via ABC. This matchup has control of the SEC implications and CFP implications as well.
Williams looks forward to having a marquee showing, but Smart looks to shut him down.
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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.
