Ryan Williams Is Ready to Run It Back — and He’s Got Big Plans
Alabama’s young star wide receiver Ryan Williams isn’t just showing up for Year 2 — he’s coming for everything.
At just 18 years old, Williams is heading into his sophomore season with the Crimson Tide. He reclassified early from the class of 2025 to 2024 and played last year as a 17-year-old — and still balled out. His freshman stats? 48 catches, 865 yards, 8 touchdowns, plus Freshman All-American and First-Team All-SEC honors. Not bad for the new kid on the block.
Now, he’s stepping into the national spotlight in a major way — **he’s one of the cover athletes for EA Sports NCAA Football 26**, alongside Ohio State’s Jeremiah Smith. For Williams, this isn’t just a cool moment — it’s something he’s dreamed of for years.
“1000 percent,” he said when asked if it was a dream come true. “I bought an old Xbox 360 just to keep playing NCAA 14. I waited years for this moment. It’s crazy.”
But Williams isn’t just hyped to be on a video game. He’s putting in real work off the field too. After missing spring camp last year due to his early arrival, he finally had a full offseason with the team — and he’s stepping into a leadership role.
“I’ve been here a full year now, so it’s about leading,” he said. “It started with the receivers, but now I’m trying to connect with everybody. If I can’t impact my little brother, how can I expect to impact a teammate?”
Physically, he’s leveling up too. He came in at 165 pounds, but has bulked up to 175 and continues to work on strength and route-running. “Last year I was light — I was technically supposed to just be starting college. Now I’m getting stronger and more polished.”
The jump from high school to college wasn’t easy. Williams admits that understanding how to take care of his body was one of the toughest challenges. He joined the team in the summer, hit fall camp full speed, and paid the price throughout a grueling 13-game season (which ended with a 9-4 record).
He still had some huge moments — including a monster performance against then-No. 2 Georgia, where he racked up 177 yards and a 75-yard game-winning touchdown.
“Biggest lesson? Take care of your body early — in June — so you’re not falling apart in November,” he said.
This offseason, Williams trained with Alabama legend and Heisman winner **DeVonta Smith**, and he came away seriously impressed. “He’s a gladiator,” Williams said. “The way he moves, the way he operates… it’s different.”
They worked out early — 5 a.m. sessions, crazy mid-day runs in the heat. But what stuck with Williams most was Smith’s mindset.
“He attacks adversity. Doesn’t run from it. Punches it in the mouth.”
That mentality stuck. And now, Williams has his eyes on something big: breaking every receiving record DeVonta Smith set at Alabama.
“All the records,” he said with a smile. “All that.”
