Joel Klatt makes case for Ryan Williams as top-five player in the country

Alabama WR Ryan Williams made himself known very early in his college career with what he did last season in Tuscaloosa. That now has him among the best players in the entire sport this year, coming out of his freshman year and into his sophomore one, to Joel Klatt.

Klatt ranked his Top-10 players in college football for 2025 during the latest episode of his show on Monday. Williams came in at No. 5 coming off his first year with the Crimson Tide.

“I mean, dude is incredible,” said Klatt.

Williams was the leading receiver last fall for ‘Bama with 48 receptions, behind only WR Germie Bernard, for 856 yards, which averages out to 18 yards per catch and 66.5 per game, and eight touchdowns. That earned him some honors as an All-American and All-SEC, including being a wide receiver on the 2024 All-SEC First Team. He’s already already now earning similar selections coming into this next season, like being a choice to the Preseason All-SEC First Team in 2025.

The statistics, at his age after reclassifying up, in that conference, and for that program, were very impressive. Still, everything else in Williams’ game, with his awareness paired with his instincts, hands, speed, and frame, is what really caught Klatt’s eyes when watching and evaluating him.

“Ryan Williams, now 18 years old going into his sophomore season. He was a First Team All-SEC player as a 17 year old, which is just wild to think of,” said Klatt. “The conference is so deep. It’s been so good for so long, obviously, and to come in at 17 and be as good and as dominant as he was, make the types of plays that he did? His 75-yard touchdown against Georgia is one of the plays of the year. He finished with 177 yards that night.”

“He’s dynamic. He’s fast. His body control is outstanding,” Klatt continued. “The way that he can, as a young player, understand his position on the field and also where he’s at in relation to the defender? His body control, yes, but it’s more his spatial awareness. How many times were you able to see Ryan Williams understand his spatial awareness when the ball was still in the air and he was slowing himself down or turning himself in a fashion where he could either absorb the hit or he was putting himself in a better position to make a move after the catch? He’s sure-handed. He’s electric.”

Klatt also mentioned Williams as part of what was a big-time class of receivers last year out of 2024. Several went on to have great freshman seasons with Williams being second-best on this list at No. 5 behind Ohio State WR Jeremiah Smith at No. 1.

“He would have been one of the best true freshman that I’ve ever seen if not for another player that you will hear from later on this list,” Klatt stated.

“These young wide receivers are better than they’ve ever been,” said Klatt. “He, Jeremiah Smith – you’ll hear from him later in this list. As good as a young combination of wide receivers that I’ve ever seen.”

Williams was as exciting a player to see on the field last fall with how many highlights he ended up having at Alabama. He’ll look to continue adding to that reel when he takes the field as a sophomore this season, and top-five player in college football to Klatt.

“Ryan Williams, man,” said Klatt. “He’s one of my favorite players to watch.”