Who is the Next Great Alabama Quarterback?
Who is the Next Great Alabama Quarterback?
By Jace Hinton November 13, 2024 10:24
Tuscaloosa, AL—Most 17-year-olds are trying to decide what school they are going to or who they are going to take to prom and homecoming, but in Tuscaloosa, there is a 17-year-old named Ryan Willams who is tearing up college football for the Alabama Crimson Tide. How is he 17 in college? You ask. Let's dive into the 17 year old phenom.
Born in Mobile, Alabama, in high school, Willams is the only player to win and repeat as Mr.Football in Alabama. In his final two high school seasons, Willams racked up over 4,600 all-purpose yards and 65 touchdowns. The former five-star was originally in the class of 2025 drawing offers from Bama, Auburn, Colorado, and Texas A&M, and on 1/24/2024 to Bama and Nick Saban and stayed after Saban decided after The G.O.A.T chose to take his talents to College Gameday.
Saban said earlier on Gameday that Willams was "The most mature player I've ever recruited." Williams has received comparisons to Devonta Smith, the Eagles' former Heisman-winning receiver, in Alabama.
Williams re-classified to 2024 and committed to Alabama. He burst onto the scene of college football with two catches, two touchdowns, and 139 yards receiving and has had a touchdown in every game this season for the Tide except their latest game against the Mizzou and October 12 against South Carolina Willams was in the Heisman race but now has since fallen out but he has four more years to attempt to win the prestige award. Williams is a perfect fit in that Alabama offense, especially with Kalen Deboar as the head coach with his high-power air raid offense.
Williams' NIL sky rocketed and so did his popularity. Williams was posting TikTok videos with the Alabama Men's and Women's hockey teams, and he did the ceremonial puck drop for their first home games of the season. His NIL value went to $1.4 million, and a deal with Uber Eats was his biggest NIL deal to date.
Willams has been considered a mature player for only 17 years of age. His grandparents had a lot to do with that. Willams father played college football at Louisana Tech, and Ryan was always with his grandparents, so naturally, he became an old soul, which shows why he is so mature for only being 17. The man who recruited Willams, the legend Nick Saban, said, "He reminds me of Amari Cooper" on College Gameday, and he carries himself as a professional, which has to come from his grandparents and the way they taught him to be.
Williams and the Crimson Tide head to Death Valley as College Gameday will also attend an elimination game in Baton Rouge as the loser of this game will likely not make the College Football Playoff. Tide-Tigers Saturday!!