The Alabama Crimson Tide took down the Georgia Bulldogs on Saturday night in Tuscaloosa in large part because of true freshman wide receiver Ryan Williams.
Williams, who doesn’t turn 18 until February, totaled six receptions for 177 yards and a touchdown in Alabama’s 41-34 win against the Bulldogs.
Williams was rated by 247Sports as the No. 3 wide receiver in the 2024 recruiting class. The former five-star recruit is already proving that he was more than deserving of his rating.
Alabama head coach Kalen DeBoer, who took over for Nick Saban earlier this year, deserves a lot of credit for giving Williams significant playing time early in the season. A lot of programs would try to ease a talented 17 year old into action. But DeBoer recognized Williams’ elite talent and immediately made the youngster a huge part of Alabama’s offense. I don’t think Bama is 4-0 right now without that decision.
The Tennessee Vols have a similarly talented five-star freshman on their roster in Mike Matthews, who was rated by 247Sports as the No. 6 wide receiver in the 2024 recruiting class.