The adjustment to college football hits athletes in different ways. Sometimes figurative. Sometimes literal.
For Alabama football freshman receiver Ryan Williams, it was the latter.
The first day the Crimson Tide wore pads in practice, the Saraland product went across the middle on a shallow crossing route. He tried to juke. Emphasize on tried. Linebacker Justin Jefferson made Williams pay for it.
“I felt it all over,” Williams said. “He hit me so hard I felt it in my ribs. It vibrated my entire body.”
The hit might have shocked Williams a bit early in practices, but overall the 17-year-old receiver has adjusted quite well to the college game. He started in the first game of the 2024 season and hasn’t looked back. Williams has caught 10 receptions for 285 yards and four touchdowns over three games.
As a result, Williams has become a top weapon for the offense.
Next up, No. 4 Alabama is set to face No. 1/2 Georgia on Saturday, Sept. 28 (6:30 p.m. CT, ABC) at Bryant-Denny Stadium.
Nick Kelly is an Alabama beat writer for AL.com and the Alabama Media Group. Follow him on X and Instagram.
