Greg McElroy raves about early impact of Ryan Williams at Alabama

A star was born on Saturday night in Tuscaloosa when true freshman wide receiver Ryan Williams made numerous impact plays. That included the biggest of the game, a jaw-dropping 75-yard catch and run with 2:18 remaining for the game-winning score in Alabama’s 41-34 victory over Georgia.

Williams’ viral catch will be remembered for a long time, but he was making an impact on Alabama’s offense even before his breakout performance this weekend. ESPN college football analyst Greg McElroy broke down what’s made him so special early in his college career.

“Ryan Williams from Alabama, I don’t know what more you can say about this young man,” McElroy said. “To do it on the biggest possible stage, going for nearly 200 yards against the Georgia Bulldogs, who do have corners that will play professionally.”

Williams has led the Crimson Tide in receiving in each of his first four games with the program, catching five passes for 177 yards and a signature touchdown against Georgia. That brough Williams’ season totals up to 16 receptions, 462 yards, and five touchdowns, clearly passing the eye test in a major way.

“He did an amazing job of creating separation, did an amazing job of being consistent with his hands, the guy almost never drops the ball,” McElroy explained. “He almost never is out of position and he always seemingly tracks the ball in the air better than anyone else that has eyes on the football as it’s traveling towards them.”

Williams has been one of the best wideouts in the country, all while being the youngest player in college football at just 17 years old. Despite his age, Williams already looks like a grown man and a draft-eligible prospect just a few games into his college career.

“I love what I’ve seen from Ryan Williams, the one thing I did not anticipate was him being as strong as he is and being as good as he is after the catch,” McElroy admitted.

Williams’ 28.9 yards per catch ranks first in the country amongst players with 10 or more catches this season. With explosiveness that jumps off the field, Ryan Williams is already considered the next great Alabama receiver that SEC opponents will be worried about for years to come.