Tag: Ryan Williams

3 Key matchups for the Oklahoma Sooners vs. the Alabama Crimson Tide

What are the key matchups to watch as the Oklahoma Sooners get set to take on the Alabama Crimson Tide?

The Oklahoma Sooners will take on the Alabama Crimson Tide this Saturday night in one of the more highly-anticipated matchups of the new-look SEC.

Even if the Sooners have struggled through the 2024 season, a battle of two of college football’s blue blood programs is the stuff reserved for the postseason or the occasional nonconference heavyweight tilt.

It’s been 22 years since the Crimson Tide stepped foot in Norman. When Alabama comes to town this week, they’ll seek to solidify their position as a College Football Playoff contender. The SEC title game isn’t out of the question, but they’ll need some help to get there. A win over Oklahoma and then next week in the Iron Bowl will pretty much solidify the Crimson Tide’s as at least an at-large bid.

Can the Oklahoma Sooners play spoiler this weekend and knock the Crimson Tide out of the playoff discussion? They’ll need to play a great game to do so and win these key matchups.

1. Oklahoma Run Game vs. Alabama Defense

The Alabama Crimson Tide come to Norman with a run defense allowing 132.2 yards per game, which is good for 53rd in the nation. Alabama held LSU to just 104 yards rushing on 24 attempts in a game that got away from the Tigers. The week before Bama allowed 169 yards rushing in their shutout win over Missouri.

In their losses to Tennessee and Vanderbilt, Alabama allowed 204 and 166 rushing yards.

It’s a unit that can be run, but much of it will depend on how much Alabama respects Oklahoma’s passing attack. They’re likely to crowd the box and force Oklahoma to beat them through the air. Still, even against crowded boxes, the Sooners need to lean into the running game.

The passing attack hasn’t been consistent all season, but the Sooners have found success on the ground over the last month.

The Sooners have to slow the game down and rely on the running game to keep the offense in favorable down and distances. Oklahoma doesn’t want to get into second- and third-and-long situations and be forced to pass.

Even if the game begins to get away from Oklahoma, they need to continue to lean into the running game with Xavier Robinson, Jovantae Barnes, Taylor Tatum, and Jackson Arnold.

Up Next: Can Oklahoma limit Explosive Plays?

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Alabama WR Ryan Williams named semifinalist for Biletnikoff Award

Biletnikoff Award names Alabama Freshman WR Ryan Williams a semifinalist.

The first sign that Kalen DeBoer was going to be a problem in the SEC was when he landed elite five-star WR Ryan Williams in his first two weeks in Tuscaloosa. Many people considered Williams’s commitment to DeBoer to be similar to that of Julio Jones to Nick Saban. 247 Sports ranked Williams as the No. 8 recruit in the 2024 class, and that was with him leaving high school a year early.

So far, the Alabama Crimson Tide phenom has lived up to the billing with 40 receptions for 767 yards and eight TDs as well as three carries for 53 yards and two scores. He also maybe made the play of the year in college football with an acrobatic 75-yard game-winning touchdown against Georgia. Williams has grown from being an electric X-factor in the offense to one of the most reliable pieces as the season has progressed.

As a result of Williams’s outstanding play, the Biletnikoff Award, presented annually to the nation’s top wide receiver, named him as one of 11 semi-finalists for this year’s award. Ole Miss’s Tre Harris is the only other player from the SEC on the list. Amari Cooper was Alabama’s first win back in 2014 followed by Jerry Jeudy in 2018 and DeVonta Smith in 2020.

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Alabama rolls in dominant 52-7 win over Mercer to set up final stretch run

The Alabama Crimson Tide finished strong in the second half of a 52-7 victory over the Mercer Bears Saturday. Here’s how it happened.

The No. 9 Alabama Crimson Tide finished strong in a 52-7 win over the Mercer Bears Saturday afternoon at Bryant-Denny Stadium.

Alabama improved to 8-2 overall before its final two games of the regular season. Kalen DeBoer’s team heads to Norman next Saturday to face the Oklahoma Sooners before closing out the year with their Iron Bowl matchup against the Auburn Tigers in Tuscaloosa.

After jumping out to a 31-7 lead at halftime — a start in which the Tide got two big touchdowns from freshman sensation Ryan Williams and an impressive performance from quarterback Jalen Milroe — Alabama kept its foot on the gas to open the second half.

The Crimson Tide started the third quarter strong by driving 67 yards in 4:27 to take a 38-7 lead. Milroe hit Germie Bernard on a play that went for 23 yards to the Mercer 21-yard line, and Justice Haynes ran 12 yards for a first and goal at the Bears’ 3. Milroe eventually finished off a 10-play drive with a three-yard touchdown run.

That would mark the end of Milroe’s day. He finished 11-of-16 for 186 yards and three touchdowns (two passing, one rushing). Milroe ran six times for 43 yards before backup Ty Simpson took over.

Simpson showed off his wheels on his first series with a 13-yard scramble on a 3rd and 11 play from Alabama’s 27-yard line.

Early in the fourth quarter, Simpson pulled off a pass reminiscent of Eli Manning’s Super Bowl escape against the New England Patriots in 2008 when he avoided a sack and hit tight end Josh Cuevas for a 43-yard gain and a first and goal at the 1.

Richard Young finished off the drive with his first career touchdown run for a 45-7 lead with 12:54 to play in the game. Simpson was 5-of-10 for 71 yards, plus the 13-yard scramble.

Alabama used two more backup quarterbacks, giving freshmen Dylan Lonergan and Washington transfer Austin Mack some snaps. Lonergan was 5-of-6 for 23 yards. He hit Ty Lockwood on a well-thrown short pass for a five-yard gain and a first down.

Mack, the fourth quarterback of the day, connected with fellow freshman Rico Scott for a 31-yard touchdown with 3:36 left for Alabama’s final score of the afternoon. Mack’s touchdown to Scott capped a 16-play, 79-yard drive that took 7:43 off the clock.

Alabama finished the day with an 508 yards of total offense (319 passing, 189 rushing) and 29 first downs.

Alabama vs Oklahoma Week 13 kickoff, TV info announced

The Crimson Tide will face the Oklahoma Sooners next Saturday night at Gaylord Family – Oklahoma Memorial Stadium. Kickoff is set for 6:30 p.m. CT. The game will be televised on ABC.

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Jalen Milroe, Alabama offense stay hot in explosive first half against Mercer

Alabama leads Mercer, 31-7, at halftime after a BIG first half from Jalen Milroe, Ryan Williams and the Crimson Tide offense.

It’s halftime at Bryant-Denny Stadium, and the No. 9 ranked Alabama Crimson Tide are rolling against the Mercer Bears.

At the break, Alabama leads Mercer, 31-7. Here’s how the Crimson Tide have built their big lead at intermission.

After Domani Jackson forced a fumble that Damon Payne Jr. recovered on Mercer’s first drive, Alabama took over at its 48-yard line.

The Crimson Tide wasted no time finding the end-zone on their first possession. Freshman phenom Ryan Williams took a jet sweep 29 yards to the outside to give Alabama a 7-0 lead just over four minutes in after Graham Nicholson added the extra point.

Jalen Milroe and the offense needed only four plays and 1:16 off the clock to drive 52 yards for the opening touchdown.

Williams struck again on Alabama’s next series, making a 17-yard reception for a first down before taking a drop-off from Milroe and going 14 yards for his second touchdown of the first quarter. That made it 14-0 with 4:08 left in the opening period. The Crimson Tide drove 89 yards on nine plays and used 4:21 off the clock.

Mercer drove into Alabama territory twice in the first quarter but turned the ball over both times. Late in the quarter, Qua Russaw made an interception off a tipped pass to give the Tide the ball at their 32-yard line.

Alabama finished the drive early in the second quarter when a wide-open Robbie Ouzts hauled in a perfect pass from Milroe for a 44-yard touchdown and a 21-0 Crimson Tide lead. It was a seven-play, 68-yard drive. Milroe was 7-of-8 for 107 yards and two touchdowns to that point.

Mercer hit a long pass for 43 yards to Javarius George, who fumbled at the end on a well-timed hit from DaShawn Jones. True freshman Zabien Brown scooped it and ran 68 yards for a 28-0 Alabama lead with 8:45 to play in the half.

Mercer scored its only points of the first half with 1:58 to play when quarterback Whitt Newbauer threw a perfect pass to Kendall Harris, who made a sensational grab for a 31-yard touchdown.

On Alabama’s first play from scrimmage on its ensuing possession, Milroe hit Germie Bernard for 45 yards to the Mercer 30-yard line. That led to a perfect 45-yard Nicholson field goal to put the Tide ahead, 31-7, with 55 seconds to go before halftime.

At halftime, Alabama has 254 yards of total offense and 13 first downs. Milroe started 8-of-9 and finished the half 9-of-14 for 158 yards and two touchdowns. Milroe also had four rushes for 36 yards in the first half, including a 16-yard carry.

Williams’ three plays (two catches, one rush) have totaled 60 yards and resulted in two touchdowns.

It’s been a good day for the Alabama offense.

Alabama freshman named semifinalist for Shaun Alexander Award

The freshman has been one of Alabama’s top players this season.

In the midst of a truly phenomenal true freshman season, Alabama Crimson Tide wide receiver Ryan Williams was named a semifinalist for the 2024 Shaun Alexander Award on Wednesday.

The award recognizes the top freshman in college football, with Williams the lone Alabama player named a semifinalist. Alabama also had the most recent winner of the award in former safety Caleb Downs, who took home the honor in 2023.

Williams has been Alabama’s top wide receiver so far this season, hauling in a team-high 35 receptions for 702 yards and seven touchdowns, which leads the SEC. Averaging 20.1 yards per catch, Williams has also rushed for a touchdown on his lone attempt, as well as returned four punts for 31 yards and two kickoffs for 14 yards.

With four regular season games to go, it is entirely possibly that Williams ends up surpassing the 1,000-yard mark for the season during that span. If Williams were to do that also, would that be enough for the freshman to eventually win the Shaun Alexander Award?

Alabama star freshman Ryan Williams named to Maxwell Award watch list

The freshman joins Jalen Milroe on the watch list.

After a stellar start to his collegiate career, star Alabama Crimson Tide true freshman wide receiver Ryan Williams was officially named to the 2024 Maxwell Award midseason watch list on Thursday afternoon.

Williams joins fellow Alabama teammate Jalen Milroe, as the Crimson Tide quarterback was named to the watch list back in the preseason.

So far this season, Williams has been Alabama’s No. 1 option at the wide receiver position, hauling in 23 receptions for 576 yards and a SEC-leading six touchdowns. Williams also leads college football in yards per catch with 25.0, and enters Week 8 ranking No. 2 in the SEC in receiving yards.

The Maxwell Award is presented annually to the top overall player in college football, and is a honor that Alabama has won five times before. Those were A.J. McCarron (2013), Derrick Henry (2015), Tua Tagovailoa (2018), DeVonta Smith (2020), and Bryce Young (2021).

https://twitter.com/AlabamaFTBL/status/1846989153101050202

Kalen DeBoer also had the award’s winner a year ago, as Washington quarterback Michael Penix Jr. took home the honor in 2023.

ESPN ranks Alabama trio among Top 25 college football players at midseason

ESPN ranks three Alabama players among the nation’s best.

It is no secret that the Alabama Crimson Tide came into the college football season with a truly loaded roster that was headlined by some of the greatest players in the sport today.

Now at the midway point of the 2024 season as well, those same names have certainly lived up to the hype, with three in particular ranking among ESPN’s Top 25 nationally at midseason. Those names were quarterback Jalen Milroe, offensive guard Tyler Booker, and wide receiver Ryan Williams.

The highest-ranking of that trio was Williams, who went from unranked in the preseason all the way up to No. 9. So far this season, Williams has 23 receptions for 576 yards and a SEC-leading six touchdowns, while also leading the nation with 25 yards per catch as a true freshman.

Booker was the next ranked, coming in at No. 12 after a preseason ranking of No. 31. The veteran offensive lineman has been one of Alabama’s best up front this season, not allowing a sack while at left guard.

Lastly, Milroe rises two spots up to No. 20 from his preseason ranking of No. 22. The Alabama quarterback is currently completing 72.7% of his passes for 1,483 yards and a 12:4 TD:INT ratio, while also rushing for 319 yards and 11 touchdowns.

Alabama phenom Freshman Ryan Williams added to Biletnikoff Award watch list

Biletnikoff Award watch list highlighted by 17-year-old Alabama superstar Ryan Williams.

Despite being just 17 years of age, Alabama’s true freshman Ryan Williams phenom is already making his case for being the best wide receiver in college football. Through just five games in his career, Williams has brought in 19 receptions for 544 yards and six touchdowns. He also tacked on a two-yard rushing score against Vanderbilt.

The craziest part about what Williams is doing is the fact that he enrolled in college a year early, skipping his Senior year of high school. As a two-time Mr. Football in the state of Alabama, he was a top priority recruit for every blue blood in the nation.

After Saban’s retirement, Williams de-committed from the Tide before Kalen DeBoer swooped back in to save the day. A recruitment that is proving to be as impactful as any in Alabama’s recent memory with some NFL personnel even saying Williams would be a top-ten pick in the draft this year.

The Biletnikoff Award has just updated its watch list for the remainder of the season by finally adding the Crimson Tide speedster. Arizona’s Tetairoa McMillan, Missouri’s Luther Burden and Colorado’s Travis Hunter entered the year as favorites, but Williams and Ohio State’s true freshman Jeremiah Smith are quickly catching up.

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Two Alabama players named to On3’s Midseason True Freshman All-American Team

Two Alabama players named to On3’s Midseason True Freshman All-American Team.

Even though the Alabama Crimson Tide are coming off of one of the ugliest losses in program history against the Vanderbilt Commodores, there is no doubt in my mind that Kalen DeBoer is still the man for the job. The Tide sit at 4-1 on the year and are still ranked No. 7 in the country, but their path to the SEC Championship and Playoff berth just became much more difficult.

If the Crimson Tide want to make a Playoff run, then obviously, they will need QB Jalen Milroe to continue playing at an elite level, but they will also need to continue to get production from some of the younger players. Despite the coaching transition from Saban, DeBoer did an outstanding job keeping the 2024 recruiting class intact and even was able to re-recruit Ryan Williams. Those efforts have quickly paid off.

Williams has been arguably the best receiver in the country this year, forget the fact he’s 17-years old, with 19 receptions for 544 yards and 6 TD. On the defensive side of the ball, CB Zabien Brown has also had an immediate impact with eight tackles, two pass break ups, one fumble recovery and the game sealing interception against Georgia.

On3 Sports named both Brown and Williams to their Midseason True Freshman All-American Team alongside nine other players from the SEC.

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Ryan Williams among risers from EA Sports College Football 25 ratings update

Alabama had one of the risers in EA College Football 25’s latest ratings update.

EA Sports College Football 25 recently updated the player ratings for their video game, with a few Alabama Crimson Tide football players among the most notable risers in the update.

As expected, star freshman wide receiver Ryan Williams was the headline name among this group, rising one rating up to an 82 overall. Williams is currently off to a phenomenal start to his Alabama career, hauling in a total of 16 receptions for 462 yards and five touchdowns, while also leading the nation with an average of 28.9 yards per catch.

Alabama’s biggest riser in this update was linebacker Jihaad Campbell, who jumped four spots to an 89 overall. Campbell is Alabama’s leading tackler so far this season, amassing 32 tackles, three TFL, and 0.5 sacks over four games.

Alabama true freshman cornerback Zabien Brown also rose two spots, jumping to an 81 overall. So far this year, Brown has eight tackles, one TFL, and one INT to begin his Crimson Tide career.