When talking Alabama freshman receiver Ryan Williams, it always goes back to the numbers.
Half his catches (6) have gone for touchdowns (3) in his first two games. He leads the Crimson Tide with receiving yards (207), yards per catch (34.50) and yards per game (103.5). There is also that other number: He’s just 17.
“He’s the truth,” Jalen Milroe explained during an appearance on “The Pivot.”
The Alabama quarterback pointed to a number of things that separates the Week 1 SEC freshman of the week performer: His growth, determination, attention to detail.
“You not just going to be able to blow by people,” Milroe said of receivers. “You have to have cover recognition. You have to know who you are blocking, the run scheme.
“To see his development in a short period is what separates him because there are a lot of great receivers in this country.”
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Milroe points to Williams’ passion for the game. The receiver – again, 17 – asked Milroe when they were going to watch film. He loves the game, but one thing stands taller than all others in the quarterback’s mind.
“I ain’t told him this – but he’s going to know now – I love when he went into the training room, our head trainer is Jeff Allen, and said, ‘Can you put me on the plan that (former Alabama receiver and current NFL star) DeVonta Smith was on? I said, ‘Oh, he’s serious. He’s serious-serious. Seventeen, I didn’t think about that. It shows his mindset.”
Mark Heim is a reporter for The Alabama Media Group. Follow him on Twitter @Mark_Heim. He can be heard on “The Opening Kickoff” on WNSP-FM 105.5 FM in Mobile or on the free Sound of Mobile App from 6 to 9 a.m. daily.
