With the start of a new college football season comes a slew of new players taking the field, as many true freshmen make their debut. Although it’s rare for these newcomers to get much playing time early on, and even rarer for them to make a significant impact in the opening game, Alabama wide receiver Ryan Williams defied the odds on Saturday. The 17-year-old managed to score his first two college touchdowns in just one half, with receptions of 84 and 55 yards, during the Crimson Tide’s game against Western Kentucky.
Williams’ rapport with quarterback Jalen Milroe is already clear, and he seems to be fitting well into the offensive system of new head coach Kalen DeBoer. However, once No. 5 Alabama faces the tougher part of its SEC schedule, the young receiver will face greater challenges.
Here’s what you need to know about Williams, the standout wide receiver who emerged as a key player for the Tide in Week [X].
Who is Ryan Williams?
Ryan Williams, a native of Saraland, Alabama, was a five-star recruit in high school and was ranked as the third-best wide receiver in the 2024 class. At just 17, he’s technically still a high school senior—Williams originally belonged to the 2025 class but reclassified to 2024 last December to join Alabama this season.
Earlier this year, Williams won his second Alabama Sports Writers Association’s Mr. Football award, becoming the first player to win it consecutively. His first win followed a standout sophomore season when Saraland captured the 6A state title. In his junior year, Williams recorded 72 receptions for 1,324 yards and 19 touchdowns, including four in the state championship game, which Saraland narrowly lost 31-28 to Clay-Chalkville.
Williams initially committed to Alabama in October 2022 but decommitted after Nick Saban’s retirement in January, later visiting Texas A&M. Ultimately, he recommitted to Alabama on January 24 and became a key member of the 2024 recruiting class, which was ranked second nationally by 247Sports.
Ryan Williams’ nickname
Williams has been known as “Hollywood” since he was around six or seven years old, a nod to his impressive athleticism. According to his father, Ryan Williams Sr., the nickname began in their home but soon became popular among everyone who watched him play.
**Ryan Williams’ Stats**
In Alabama’s season opener against Western Kentucky, a game in which the Crimson Tide led 42-0 at halftime, true freshman Ryan Williams posted impressive numbers. Despite having only two receptions, both were pivotal, resulting in touchdowns for Williams. He played minimally in the second half, so his stats remained unchanged.
Here’s a breakdown of his performance from the game:
REC | YDS | AVG | TD | LNG
— | — | — | — | —
2 | 129 | 69.5| 2 | 84
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