Transfer Jameson Williams could be a ‘featured guy’ for Alabama

Alabama head coach Nick Saban has a lot to replace at the wide receiver position after last season, and Ohio State transfer Jameson Williams is already impressing in Tuscaloosa. 

“He’s done great,” Saban said. “He’s a really good player. He’s got really good speed. You can tell he’s an experienced player. He’s played at a high level against good competition. And he’s very bright, so he’s picked up on things, learned the offense very quickly. So, we’re encouraged with what he’s done, and I’m sure he’s going to make a really positive contribution to our team and be a featured guy in some ways.”

“We felt like we needed somebody who has juice and speed at receiver to complement the players that we have and some experience because we’ve lost four first-round draft picks in the last two years at that position,” Saban said at SEC media days. 

Williams played in 22 games with six starts over two years at Ohio State. He caught 15 passes for 266 yards and had three scores. His shortage of playing time was not because he lacked talent, as he was behind the best wide receiver duo in the country in Chris Olave and Garrett Wilson. Williams’ 17.7 yards per catch demonstrates his ability to be explosive and just how fast he is. He was one of the fastest recruits in the class of 2019.

Don’t expect too much drop off in the Alabama WR room

Alabama added Williams this spring after first-round draft picks DeVonta Smith and Jaylen Waddle departed for the NFL, leaving the Crimson Tide with young talent. 

Williams joins sophomores Slade Bolden and John Metchie in the wide receiver room. Metchie is the presumptive heir to WR1 DeVonta Smith’s throne after he caught 55 balls for 916 yards and six touchdowns as a true freshman. He averaged 16.7 yards per catch to Smith’s 15.9. Metchie is one of just three returning starters on offense for the Crimson Tide, per Phil Steele. 

Javon Baker, Traeshon Holden and Agiye Hall are big-time talents that could make an impact this season as well. Plus, Alabama signed four wide receivers in their 2021 class including five-star Jacorey Brooks. Simply put, quarterback Bryce Young will have no shortage of options when he drops back this fall.