Stephen A. Smith on about Ryan Williams game-winning connection: ‘One of the greatest moments in sports history’

Alabama and Georgia‘s thriller on Saturday will go down as one of the best college football game’s in recent history. An SEC thriller between two top-five-ranked opponents that featured a 28-point comeback for the Bulldogs that the Alabama was able to respond to for a 41-34 win.

The most memorable play was a 75-yard touchdown connection between quarterback Jalen Milroe and true freshman wide receiver Ryan Williams with 2:18 remaining in the game to seal the deal. An immediate response just one play after Georgia took their first lead of the game and a moment that had to be discussed Monday morning on ESPN’s First Take.

“It was just an incredible moment, it was one of the greatest moments we’ve seen in sports history,” host Stephen A. Smith said about Williams’ catch. “To see Georgia come back from a 30-7 halftime deficit, 28 to nothing to begin the game. To come back, take the lead, and on the very next play this guy Jalen Milroe, who was spectacular, connects with a 17-year-old straight out of high school.”

Williams has taken college football by storm as a freshman phenom and the youngest player in the sport. Making a contested catch over a defender followed by an instantly iconic, leisurely spin on his way to the end zone for the biggest play of his young career.

“Comes out there and makes that catch with that spin move the very next play after losing the lead, it was something spectacular to behold,” Smith added. “I can’t say enough about the game. It lived up to its billing, it was special. It really, really, was Shannon. That kid Ryan Williams is going to be special.”

In the first four games of his college career, Williams has caught 16 passes for 462 yards and five touchdowns. But he wasn’t the only true freshman wearing No. 2 for the Crimson Tide to make a big play on Saturday. With Zabien Brown intercepting a pass in the end zone on the final possession of the game to protect Alabama’s lead and secure their first SEC win of the season.

“Think about the two biggest plays made in that game for Alabama were made by true freshman. The defensive back that picked the ball off in the end zone and Ryan Williams with that spectacular play,” Shannon Sharpe added. “Stephen A. he reclassified, so theoretically he’s supposed to be in high school. He’s supposed to be in the class of 2025, but he’s like I’m ready, and he’s more than ready.”

The Crimson Tide are now ranked No. 1 in the AP Poll following their big win this weekend, which they’ll look to keep this Saturday on the road when they face Vanderbilt.