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.

Contact/Follow us @RollTideWire on Twitter, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Alabama news, notes and opinion. You can also follow Sam Murphy on Twitter @SamMurphy02.

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.

Contact/Follow us @RollTideWire on Twitter, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Alabama news, notes and opinion. You can also follow Sam Murphy on Twitter @SamMurphy02.

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.

Serena Williams jokingly claims Alabama’s Ryan Williams as her cousin after torching Georgia

Serena Williams had the best Ryan Williams joke.

Serena Williams has a fantastic sense of humor and brought it out at just the right time.

Williams is seemingly aware of another Williams — Alabama freshman sensation Ryan Williams. At just 17 years old, Ryan is gaining national attention for his tremendous skills, and an absurd game on Saturday against the No. 2 ranked Georgia Bulldogs.

The freshman lit up the field, wracking up 177 yards on six catches, including a 75-yard game-winning touchdown where he juked TWO Dawgs defenders mid-route and casually accelerated upfield and into the end zone. So many people have been talking about his impressive feat, including Serena Williams, who jokingly said Ryan Williams was her cousin.

Some fans immediately picked up on the joke and had some fun.

But there were others who thought she was totally serious.

Is Alabama receiver Ryan Williams related to Serena Williams?

Ryan Williams and Serena Williams are unrelated for clarity and to eliminate confusion. There is no evidence that suggests they are related.

Serena Williams’ tweet about her “cousin” Ryan Williams was purely a play on words. I’m sorry to rain on anyone’s parade who thought this may be the case. I’m sending my condolences to you.

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SEC recognizes Alabama WR Ryan Williams as Freshman of the Week

Alabama phenom WR Ryan Williams named SEC Freshman of the Week.

With 2:31 left in the fourth quarter, the Georgia Bulldogs took a 34-33 lead over the Alabama Crimson Tide. Their first lead of the day.

But, as we are quickly learning, the lights are never too bright for freshman phenom WR Ryan “Hollywood” Williams. On the first play of the ensuing drive, Williams made one of the most impressive catches of the year before juking two Georgia defenders on his way to a 75-yard and eventual game-winning score. In his first-ever top-five matchup, against a Kirby Smart-coached defense no less, Williams brought in six receptions for 177 yards and the crucial score.

As a result of the mind-boggling performance, the SEC recognized Williams as the SEC Freshman of the Week. Despite being just 17 years old, Williams is strongly building his case as the nation’s best receiver with many Alabama fans considering him to be DeBoer’s version of Julio Jones in terms of instant impact.

On the year, Williams has brought in 16 receptions for 462 yards and five TDs. Those numbers would have been among the best on the Alabama team a season ago, and he’s played only four games. It is also worth noting that his role in the offense continues to expand by the week.

Contact/Follow us @RollTideWire on Twitter, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Alabama news, notes and opinion. You can also follow Sam Murphy on Twitter @SamMurphy02.

Alabama’s 17-year-old Ryan Williams makes spectacular, acrobatic catch

Alabama’s Ryan Williams with a stunning catch for 54 yards

Ryan Williams is 17. He’s a freshman wide receiver starting for Alabama. His talent belies his age.

Williams has made highlight-reel catches already. However, the one he made in the third quarter Saturday against Georgia tops them all.

Check this out:

The 54-yard reception set up a field goal that gave Alabama a 33-15 lead entering the fourth quarter.

Best Alabama football players NOT named Jalen Milroe

Here are the players Alabama has at their disposal that will be the biggest threats against a Georgia win.

In a matchup between two powerhouses of the SEC, several players can make or break the game for either opponent. There are several reasons why College GameDay is hosting this game, and here are some players that they will be highlighting from the side of the Crimson Tide.

*UGA Wire will look to discuss Jalen Milroe in his article since he’s a much more important part of the Alabama offense.

Tyler Booker, Parker Brailsford, & Kaydn Proctor, offensive linemen

One of the biggest storylines of the game will be Georgia’s defensive line against Alabama’s offensive line. With Georgia’s injuries on the d-line, and these three stalwarts on the offensive line, it looks one-sided on paper.

Proctor is probably the most notable out of the three because of his near-transfer to Iowa. Thankfully for Alabama fans, they got the stud freshman guard back. Proctor made the SEC All-Freshman team his freshman year and was a part of the 2024 All-SEC Preseason team.

Booker is the most decorated out of the bunch. Ever since his freshman year at ‘Bama in 2022, he’s been an anchor guard on the line. In 2023, he made the All-SEC Second Team, and this year, like Proctor, he made the All-SEC Preseason team in 2024. He’s eligible for the NFL Draft this year, and he has first-round talent

Brailsford also made the 2024 All-SEC Preseason team. Brailsford was a transfer from Washington, choosing to follow his coach Kalen DeBoer to Alabama. With Washington, he was an honorable mention for freshman offensive player of the year and was 2nd team All-Offense for the Pac-12.

Sep 14, 2024; Madison, Wisconsin, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide wide receiver Ryan Williams (2) during the game against the Wisconsin Badgers at Camp Randall Stadium. Jeff Hanisch-Imagn Images

Ryan Williams, wide receiver

Williams was mentioned by name in our article about how Alabama could pull off a victory over Georgia, and there’s a big reason why. Williams has dazzled in his first season in the SEC, garnering 285 receiving yards and four touchdowns on just 10 receptions. His 28.5 yards per reception put him fourth in the SEC (first with over 10 receptions) and eighth in the FBS. Williams is a dynamic talent that Georgia corners will have to contain if they have any hope of winning this game.

Malachi Moore, safety

Moore was not listed on the injury report after suffering a head injury against Wisconsin, which means he’ll be another player Georgia will have to contend with. Moore also made the 2024 All-SEC Preseason team, and with his four years of service at Alabama, he earned it, racking up 17 pass deflections and five interceptions. He’s also made the PFF All-SEC team in Week 3.

Honorable Mentions: Justice Haynes, Jam Miller, Deontae Lawson