Alabama Football: Estimating Ryan Williams’ impact on the 2024 offensive – Opinion

admin | December 13, 2023 | Other Clubs | No Comments

Alabama Football wide receiver pledge Ryan Williams may be the most electrifying athlete in high school football, and the Saraland native will be in T-Town sooner rather than later.

Williams, the top wideout in the 2025 recruiting class, reclassified to the 2024 cycle Tuesday and is anticipated to arrive on campus next fall.

So what does Ryan Williams bring to the Alabama Football offense?

Williams has long been considered as a player who can make an immediate impact. Despite his small stature, his speed, instincts, and open-field playmaking abilities will make him a threat on an SEC field from the start.However, competition in the Alabama receiving room will be fierce, and Williams will have to earn every snap.

Jermaine Burton, the Tide’s leading receiver with 777 yards and eight touchdowns, could return but is anticipated to leave for the NFL. After a disappointing third year, junior Ja’Corey Brooks decided to enter the transfer portal. In this position room, Alabama could see more outgoing transfers, but all of its significant contributors should return.

Isaiah Bond is expected to be the No. 1 wide receiver in his draft-eligible junior season. Bond is a proven playmaker with a clutch gene who now leads Alabama with 44 receptions. In his sophomore season, Kendrick Law has also found a spot in Tommy Rees’ offense. Rees has used Law all over the field as a physical receiver who can run, catch, and block. He excels as a slot receiver, in the backfield as an H-back or running back, and on trick plays. In 2024, law should play a far larger and more defined function.

The receiver rotation is a little more tough to project behind Isaiah Bond and Kendrick Law. This is where Ryan Williams could come into play.

Kobe Prentice has been a consistent possession receiver for the Tide over the last two years, recording 48 receptions. Last offseason, Malik Benson was widely regarded as the top JUCO prospect in the country. He didn’t make an impression in 2023, but he should be back for year two at the Capstone. Jalen Hale, a true freshman, has shown flashes of potential stardom this fall, but it remains to be seen how much his position will expand next season.

Ryan Williams is likely to be included in this group and should be highly competitive in the rotation. His knack for producing big plays and ability after the catch rivals anyone else in the room.

Many people have expressed concern about Williams’ size, but I doubt it will be an issue for the 5-star receiver. In the Alabama Football strength and conditioning program, Williams will add weight as needed. Williams, like former Alabama star Devonta Smith, plays with an astounding innate ability to defend himself and avoid major hits.

Ryan Williams has the potential to be one of Alabama’s top receivers this season. At the very least, I envision him serving as a situational receiver in the rotation. He’s a talented enough athlete that Tommy Rees may devise schemes to get him open-field touches. Alabama may even use Williams as a kick returner if he is dependable and confident in his abilities.

With Jalen Milroe potentially back in the fold, Alabama Football’s offense in 2024 might be efficient and explosive.

A team that isn’t short on skill position talent may have just gained its most dangerous weapon in 5-star receiver Ryan Williams, and I’m excited to see what his role looks like in year one.