Ryan Williams expects big growth in sophomore season at Alabama

Alabama wide receiver Ryan Williams burst onto the college football scene in 2024 with a monster freshman season in Tuscaloosa, in which he hauled in 48 receptions, 865 yards and eight receiving touchdowns.

Heading into his sophomore season, the EA Sports College Football 26 cover star expects big growth in his game.

“Just based on this offseason and being able to go through spring because last season I wasn’t able to go through the spring,” Williams told host Pete Thamel on the College Gameday Podcast. “I just had summer and fall camp, which I’m super blessed I was even able to do that with me reclassifying. So just being able to go through this spring and having that year of experience in big games and understanding the preparation of each week and everything that I’m doing now, it will be reflected in November and December.”

In just his fourth career game, Williams made one of the most iconic plays in recent college football history after hauling in a game-winning 75-yard touchdown from quarterback Jalen Milroe to down rival Georgia in Tuscaloosa.

“I’ll put my all out there every single day”

“I feel like there’s going to be a big difference because I understand what’s coming now,” Williams continued. “It was a lot of reacting last season so I’m super excited. I expect nothing less of myself and I’ll put my all out there every single day.”

Heading into his second season of college football however, Williams doesn’t quite know who will be Alabama’s starting quarterback like he did last season with Milroe. The rising sophomore however doesn’t seem concerned, whether or not coach Kalen DeBoer goes with Ty Simpson, Austin Mack or Keelon Russell.

“I mean the tape speaks for itself. We have three very good quarterbacks,” Williams said about the trio. “And I mean, either way that it goes, I’m comfortable and confident in any of those guys, just because I’ve seen the work that they put in. They all have different tendencies. But you know, like, Ty is the front runner right now so you know, just trying to build a relationship with not only him but the rest of them of course and just get prepared for this season. We’re super excited.”

Williams hauled in touchdowns in seven of his 13 games last season, including at least one in six of his first seven career games. While he may have cooled down towards the end of the season, Williams is in line to continue his rise as one of the great receivers in all of college football next season.

Alabama opens its 2025 campaign on the road against Florida State on August 30.