Ryan Williams is giving Alabama fans hope that 2025 will be the year the Crimson Tide returns to the top of the SEC and the college football world. The teen phenom quickly established himself as a key player last season under head coach Kalen DeBoer, helping Alabama finish the 2024 campaign with a 9-4 slate.
Can Williams take the next step and deliver a national championship to the Tide? Let’s find out about Alabama’s star wide receiver ahead of the 2025 season.
Can Ryan Williams Become Alabama’s Next Superstar?
Expectations are high surrounding Ryan Williams as he begins his sophomore season at Alabama. He took the NCAA by storm in his first year with the Crimson Tide, catching 48 passes for 865 yards and eight touchdowns. Williams was tied for 11th in the SEC in receiving yards and tied for second in receiving touchdowns in 2024. Not bad for a 17-year-old who was still trying to figure out the league.
It helped Williams that his fellow starting wide receiver was also a legitimate downfield threat. Germie Bernard posted solid numbers for the Crimson Tide last season, catching 50 passes for 794 yards. Despite his 15.9 yards per catch average, Bernard had difficulty finding the end zone, scoring just twice in 2024.
Williams‘ last season success wouldn’t have been possible without the outstanding play of quarterback Jalen Milroe, who completed 205-of-319 passes for 2,844 yards and 16 touchdowns with 11 interceptions in his junior year for Alabama. He also punished opponents on the ground, running for 726 yards and 20 touchdowns on 20 carries.
RYAN WILLIAMS IS 17 YEARS OLD
GAME OF THE YEAR
— Barstool Sports (@barstoolsports) September 29, 2024
That partnership won’t be available to Williams anymore, as Milroe made the jump to the NFL. He was selected in the third round by the Seattle Seahawks with the No. 92 pick in this year’s draft.
The question now is: who will be Alabama’s starting quarterback in Week 1 of the 2025 season? Kalen DeBoer has not yet announced his choice, but Ty Simpson has emerged as the favorite to become Alabama’s new QB1. He has the most experience among the Tide’s quarterbacks, making 16 appearances for Alabama in his college football career.
Accolades Keep Coming for Ryan Williams
Ryan Williams’ stardom is shining after his stellar freshman season with the Crimson Tide. EA Sports chose him to be a co-cover athlete for its popular College Football 26 video game. He was also named part of the All-SEC First Team and was a unanimous selection for the All-SEC Freshman Team in 2024.
The accolades kept coming for Williams, who was one of 11 Alabama players named to the media’s preseason All-SEC teams. He joined Kadyn Proctor, Jaeden Roberts, Parker Brailsford, Tim Keenan III, LT Overton, Deontae Lawson, Domani Jackson, Jam Miller, Bray Hubbard, and Keon Sabb on the list.
The Maxwell Football Club announced on Monday that Williams was named to the 2025 Maxwell Award Watch List. The Maxwell Award is one of the most prestigious awards in NCAA football and recognizes the top player in the collegiate ranks.
Five Alabama players have won this award in program history — AJ McCarron, Derrick Henry, Tua Tagovailoa, DeVonta Smith, and Bryce Young. If Williams becomes Alabama’s first 1000-yard receiver since Jameson Williams in 2021, chances are high he will be in consideration for the award.
College Sports Network has you covered with the latest news, analysis, insights, and trending stories in college football, men’s college basketball, women’s college basketball, and college baseball!
