Alabama senior RB Roydell Williams 'always the first one to step up'

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. – Alabama running back Roydell Williams is among the 23 seniors who will be recognized ahead of the Crimson Tide’s home finale against Chattanooga on Saturday.

Williams has seen his role increase each year he has been a part of the storied program and is currently the team’s No. 2 running back behind fellow senior Jase McClellan. Saturday will be a special moment for the senior from Hueytown, Ala., who overcame a season-ending injury back in 2021 and waited his turn to now be making a significant impact on offense.

“It meant a lot with the injury coming my sophomore year,” Williams said. “It showed me a lot, how important the team was, how important it was to get back on the field and contribute to team wins. Just being able to contribute overall, even with special teams, has been key for me.”

Williams has played in 41 career games before Saturday’s matchup, and this fall has been his most involved yet. The 5-foot-10, 214-pound back has established career-highs in carries (79), rushing yards (415) and receptions (10) prior to seeing his 80th carry of the season. 

Not only has he seen his own game evolve, but Alabama’s entire offense has, too, this fall.

“Maturity, confidence,” Williams said. “Everybody seems to be on the same page. Everyone seems to be confident. Everyone seems to be up-lifting. The energy around the locker room, the team room, meetings, everybody is locked in. Everybody knows what the goal is.”

Williams has been a big part of the offense this season, but the senior has routinely played on a number of special teams units throughout the course of his college career. He has covered kicks and punts and blocked in the return game, and in Alabama’s recent trip to Kentucky, Williams even returned the first two kickoffs of his Tide career for a combined 51 yards.

His willingness to fill whatever role is asked of him earned praise from coach Nick Saban. 

“Roydell is a great team guy,” Saban said. “He’s a really good special teams player, great character. I think he loves Alabama. He loves his teammates. He’s a really good teammate. Been very productive every opportunity that he’s gotten, whether it’s to play running back or do something on special teams, be a kickoff returner. He’s always the first one to step up. 

“He’s always got a smile on his face. And I think he’s a great example for guys that persevere in their career and overcome obstacles and become very successful because of that. Because I think that’s probably one of the ingredients you need to have to be successful.”

Like 10 of the 13 scholarship seniors taking part in the pregame Senior Day ceremony prior to the Chattanooga game, Williams can take advantage of an extra year of eligibility and return to school for an additional year. Speaking to local reporters Tuesday, said that is a conversation “between me and Coach Saban” as far as his future football plans are concerned.

A former top-100 recruit in the 2020 class, per the On3 Industry Rankings, Williams could be playing in his final game at Bryant-Denny Stadium on Saturday. And if it is indeed his final home game in an Alabama uniform, he shared his message to any kid hoping to do the same.

“Anything you can put your mind to, you can do it,” Williams said. “Coming in from Hueytown, only 45 minutes away – 30 if you drive fast enough – just coming here from that close of a distance, it’s meant a lot. My family is able to come down here anytime to see me. 

“Just being around and being local was big for me. I can go home whenever I want sometimes. It’s just amazing that I’ve been here four years and the journey I’ve been through, it’s been a lot, and I’ve enjoyed every second of it.”

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