While Ryan Williams‘ freshman season was one to remember in college football, the 2024 NCAA campaign was not one fans in Tuscaloosa will remember fondly. During the first year after Nick Saban’s departure, the Alabama Crimson Tide failed to make the 12-team playoffs, and fell short of the 10-win bar set by the legendary head coach before Kalen DeBoer.
If there’s any positives to gather from the past season for Alabama is that they endured some big bruises that will act as pivotal lessons and reminders for the future. That’s about it, though, and it’s up to DeBoer to guide the new wave of young stars in Tuscaloosa, in hopes of righting the ship.
Every player is bringing their own piece to the puzzle, as well. Williams, who put on a memorable freshman season at just 17 years old, continues to work on his craft. Ahead of the 2025 season, Williams linked up with a former Heisman Trophy winner and reigning Super Bowl champion.
After training in the offseason with Alabama alum and Philadelphia Eagles star wide receiver DeVonta Smith, Ryan Williams made a bold admission about the key lessons he absorbed—sending a clear warning to the rest of college football about what’s to come.
DeVonta Smith #6 of the Alabama Crimson Tide warms up prior to the College Football Playoff National Championship game against the Ohio State Buckeyes at Hard Rock Stadium on January 11, 2021 in Miami Gardens, Florida.
“Just learning from a guy that’s really defied a lot of odds,” Williams told ESPN’sRece Davis during an appearance on the College GameDay Podcast. “I learned a lot. And I’ve been applying it since. We really talked about just being able to [disorient] the defensive back is pretty much half of our job. Because the rest is just making a play.”
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Smith became a staple of success as a wideout in Alabama, despite being outsized by almost every opponent in the gridiron. That didn’t affect Smith, who went on to become one of the best wideouts in the NFL, after being named the most valuable player in college football.
Williams may not be the biggest wide receiver, but he more than makes up for it with his dazzling speed and elite route-running ability. There’s a wealth of knowledge to absorb from an Alabama alum like Smith, and the sophomore star made sure to take notes.
“I’d just say, everything that he does is very deliberate,” Williams added about Smith. “Like you can see his body movements, because if you just look at him, he’s not the biggest guy. So just the way he’s able to control his body is truly remarkable. And I learned a lot about the little details about how I can do that for myself, and just taking my game to the next level.“
Ryan Williams #2 of the Alabama Crimson Tide catches a pass during warmups prior to facing the South Carolina Gamecocks at Bryant-Denny Stadium on October 12, 2024 in Tuscaloosa, Alabama.
Countdown to August
It’s safe to say fans in Tuscaloosa have enough reasons to be excited about Williams and the Crimson Tide heading to the 2025 NCAA season. Though they will be put up to the test from the get-go, kickstarting the season against the Florida State Seminoles in Tallahassee.
DeBoer has yet to name the official QB1, though most signs point towards Ty Simpson taking over under center. Regardless of who winds up commanding the huddle, Williams’ confidence isn’t wavering.
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“I mean the tape speaks for itself. We have three very good quarterbacks,” Williams said on The College GameDay Podcast. “And I mean, either way that it goes, I’m comfortable and confident in any of those guys, just because I’ve seen the work that they put in. They all have different tendencies.“
