Alabama's highly regarded freshman Ryan Williams is trying to build on his spectacular debut

TUSCALOOSA, Alabama (AP) — Ryan Williams could still be in high school and not already be a 17-year-old sheepishly dealing with requests for photos during college classes.

This is the life of a valuable Alabama football recruit which had been the subject of so much wonder and excitement even before its arrival.

The craziest experience for Williams off the field? “It was probably just being in class and people asking for a photo in the middle of class and you're trying not to interrupt the professor.”

He's already created some crazy moments on the field. Alabama High School's only two-time Mr. Football player, a top-five prospect who enrolled a year early, caught two passes in his college debut for the fifth-ranked Crimson Tide. But both led to long touchdowns.

First there was the 84-yard run down the right sideline on third and 13 in the first quarter.

Then there was the 50-yard crossing route where two Western Kentucky defenders grabbed at his ankles to no avail before Williams sprinted away in the second quarter.

Two catches, 139 yards. Admittedly, these plays came during a 63-0 victory and we are facing much stronger competition.

The young man

Teammates and coaches praise Williams' talent and attitude, but it all starts with a preface: the whole age thing.

“I have to say it again: The man is 17 years old and he's awesome,” Tide quarterback Jalen Milroe said. “I'm just proud of him, but I know he's going to keep getting better, keep wanting to improve, and that's going to show in his success this year.”

Williams, who takes the attention and high expectations in stride, tries not to focus on his youth, which would be an easy way out if things don't look quite so easy.

“If I had been roughed up out there, I still wouldn't want to use that as an excuse,” Williams said. “I'm not focused on that, I'm focused on playing ball.”

Desired new addition

The 6'1″ and 175lb Williams was coached by Kalen DeBoers most important recruitment target after accepting the Alabama job. Williams, ranked as the No. 4 overall recruit and third-best wide receiver in the 2024 class in 247Sports' overall rankings, had resumed his recruitment following Nick Saban's resignation from Alabama.

DeBoer and his staff eventually brought him back into the ranks, starting with a phone call during the flight from Washington to Tuscaloosa.

“He certainly got a lot of attention during his recruitment and even before he actually played a game here,” Alabama offensive coordinator Nick Sheridan said. “I would say he's been the same person since the day we got him. He loves football. He loves to work. He's willing to be coached.”

Connection from Milroe to Williams

The speedy Williams and the strong Milroe are a dangerous combination. Even the jersey numbers – Milroe is number 4 and Williams is number 2 – together lead to a touchdown.

“Four plus two is six,” Williams said. “That's all I can say. He always puts the ball in the perfect spot and I just have to do my job.”

He calls Milroe's long ball “the best in the game, baby. The best in the game.”

Milroe, meanwhile, jokes that he needs to warm up his arm before throwing those long balls to the speedy Williams.

“The boy can run,” he said.

Be like Smitty

Williams doesn't hesitate when asked which receiver emulates his game. It's the similarly sized DeVonta Smith, who won the Heisman Trophy for Alabama in 2020 and now plays for the Philadelphia Eagles.

“I'm a huge fan of his,” said Williams, who has spoken to Smith a few times. “I definitely watch his games and try to emulate some of his stuff.”

But Smith was waiting in the wings ahead of his mammoth final college season (117 catches, 1,856 yards, 23 touchdowns) after playing alongside other future NFL stars. Williams comes to a team that lost its top three receivers from last year.

DeBoer doesn't think Williams will be too proud after such a spectacular debut.

“One of the cool things about Ryan is he gets a lot of attention, but he just approaches it with a really humble, no-nonsense attitude where you stay the course and go to work every day,” the Tide coach said. “Our guys appreciate that.”

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