Kalen DeBoer reveals what makes Alabama WR Ryan Williams special

Alabama true freshman wide receiver Ryan Williams may have burst onto the national stage last weekend during his iconic performance in the Crimson Tide’s thrilling win over Georgia. But the youngest player in college football has been producing since his arrival in Tuscaloosa.

The 17-year-old Williams has been Alabama’s leading wide receiver through the first four games of the season. Crimson Tide head coach Kalen DeBoer discussed Williams’ seamless transition from high school to the college level during a Friday appearance on the GoJo & Golic show.

“Right off the bat. First game, not easing into it, he comes out and gets two touchdown catches and since then it’s just been continuing to go this direction,” DeBoer said. “It’s a special person that, number one, makes those plays on the field, but a special person that can handle what it takes every day to continue to bring your best.”

Williams was named the Alabama Gatorade Football Player of the Year and Alabama Mr. Football in his sophomore and junior seasons at Saraland High School. He’s the only two-time Mr. Football winner in Alabama history that could have likely gone for a three-peat.

But instead, Williams’ reclassified and skipped his senior year of high school to get an early start to his college career. It’s a decision that appeared to be the right one pretty quickly when he arrived on campus and joined the Alabama program.

“I think our team really saw in him the maturity he has and how he’s beyond being a 17-year-old this summer. Just his commitment and sacrifice to doing what he needs to,” DeBoer said. “From day one he’s lined up in the right spot, he’s running the right routes, he does it hard, 100%. He’ll get from one end of the field all the way to the other to line up to run the next play. You’re never waiting for him, you’re never wondering if he’s got the call, if he’s going to do the right thing. I think he gained a lot of confidence, not just the coaches, but in his teammates very quickly in summer and fall camp for sure.”

Williams was seemingly born ready for college football, already catching 16 passes for 462 yards and five touchdowns in his short career as one of the most explosive playmakers in the nation. Williams already leads all FBS players with 10 or more catches with 28.9 yards per reception as a perfect fit in DeBoer’s offensive scheme.

DeBoer has been around several elite wide receivers, including three different 1,000-yard wideouts in his previous two seasons at Washington. He was asked if any of those players have reminded him of his young, talented pass catcher.

“I think from a love for the game, I think those guys just loved and were always in the film room there at Washington. They were always on the field in the middle of the summer when no one else was out there. Doing drills, footwork drills, whatever it might be, the JUGS Machine was always running,” DeBoer explained.

“I think that’s the way he is. He’s a gym rat, he loves loves the game, he’s just constantly diving into ways that he could be better. So not one particular, but just the elite of the elite. There’s a certain way they go about their business and that’s him.”

Ryan Williams already seems to have the makings of an NFL wide receiver just a few games into his college career. But for now, Alabama fans and others can continue watching him grow in front of their eyes and make more jaw-dropping plays on Saturdays.