A new college football season means several fresh faces on the field, as many true freshmen suit up for the first time. While few newbies are lucky enough to pocket some playing time this early on, even fewer make an impact the first game of the year.
During Alabama’s season opener, wide receiver Ryan Williams certainly made his mark on the Crimson Tide’s contest against Western Kentucky. The 17-year-old only needed one half to score his first two collegiate touchdowns on 84 and 55-yard receptions.
Williams’ connection with quarterback Jalen Milroe is evident already, and he is meshing with new head coach Kalen DeBoer’s offense so far. Since Week 1, the freshman has continued to contribute to Alabama’s offense and leads the team in catches, receiving yards and touchdowns from Milroe.
Here’s everything to know about Williams, the wide receiver who happens to be the Tide’s breakout star of the 2024 season.
MORE: Meet Kalen DeBoer, Nick Saban’s Alabama replacement
Who is Ryan Williams?
A Saraland, Alabama, native, Williams was a five-star prospect out of high school and ranked as the third-best wide receiver in the 2024 class. At only 17, he is technically supposed to be a senior in high school right now—originally a top recruit in the 2025 class, Williams reclassified into the 2024 cycle last December in order to play for Alabama this season.
Earlier this year, the teenager earned his second Alabama Sports Writers Association’s Mr. Football award, becoming the first player to win it back-to-back. The first time he received the honor, Williams was coming off a stellar sophomore season in which Saraland won the 6A state title.
When he won the award his junior season, the wide receiver was coming off a 72-reception, 1,324-yard campaign for the Spartans, complete with 19 touchdowns. Four of his scores came in the state championship game, which Saraland dropped in a narrow 31-28 loss to Clay-Chalkville.
Initially, Williams had committed to Alabama in October 2022. However, he decommitted upon Nick Saban’s retirement in January and subsequently took a visit to Texas A&M. In the end, Williams recommitted to the Tide on Jan. 24 and solidified his place in a 2024 recruiting class that ranked second in the nation on 247Sports.
Ryan Williams’ nickname
Since he was six or seven, Williams has owned the nickname “Hollywood” due to his athleticism on the field. His dad, Ryan Williams Sr., said the name-calling started off in their home but then slowly creeped into the vocabulary of everyone who would watch him play.
MORE: Alabama football schedule 2024
Ryan Williams stats
The true freshman had a ridiculous stat-line at halftime of Alabama’s opening matchup against Western Kentucky, which the Crimson Tide led 42-0 after two quarters of play. Though he only pulled in two receptions, they were both crucial and resulted in scores for Williams. He was a minimal participant in the second half and his stats didn’t change from there.
| REC | YDS | AVG | TD | LNG |
| 2 | 139 | 69.5 | 2 | 84 |
In the two completed games since against USF and Wisconsin, both dominant wins with 42 points scored, Williams combined for eight receptions, over 140 yards and two scores. He leads the team in all three categories and is top ten nationally in average yards per catch, longest catch and receiving touchdowns.
Here is how he’s performed so far this season.
| REC | YDS | AVG | TD | LNG |
| 10 | 285 | 28.5 | 4 | 84 |
