What Georgia football coach Kirby Smart, players said about Alabama star WR Ryan Williams
Alabama produced eight NFL first-round wide receivers during Nick Saban’s 17 seasons as head coach including DeVonta Smith, Calvin Ridley, Amari Cooper and Julio Jones.
Freshman Ryan Williams appears to be next up for the Crimson Tide.
“He's in the same line with the guys they've had in the past,” Georgia football coach Kirby Smart said of Williams. “Super quick, talented, confident with the ball, great ball skills, great quickness. He's a track athlete that was elite as a junior. He comes out, and he's already performing at a high level. I don't think that there's a lot of anxiety or nerves for him.”
The 17-year old freshman has 10 catches for 285 yards and four touchdowns in three games. He leads the FBS with a 28.5 yards per catch average heading into Saturday's game with Georgia in Tuscaloosa.
"There's a lot of hype that surrounds him, but I think he just handles it in such a graceful way," Alabama first-year coach Kalen DeBoer said Wednesday.
Georgia All-American safety Malaki Starks leads a defense that will try to keep Williams from making big plays.
“Don’t let the age fool you,” Starks said. “He can go. …He’s a young player in the SEC, blah, blah, blah. But he can play. You’ve got to be on your Ps and Qs just being on the same page. He has a great catch radius. He’s fast. He’s quick. He can move.”
Williams didn’t enroll at Alabama until the summer. DeBoer said he saw right away a “fluidity” and natural ability in tracking the ball.
What were “50-50 balls” for other receivers were caught much more by Williams.
He didn’t take a step back during offensive installation.
“He’s just pouring everything into it,” DeBoer said. “He’s got that smile on his face and that energy about him. Every single day was so consistent.”
Arian Smith, a Georgia senior wide receiver who can be a vertical threat, gushed about what he’s seen from the 6-foot, 175-pound Williams from from Mobile.
“That’s crazy,” Smith said. “I’ve never seen no kid like that. He’s going to be a good receiver in this league. Seeing him do that at a young age, just blows my mind.”
This article originally appeared on Athens Banner-Herald: Alabama freshman Ryan Williams seen by Georgia as Crimson Tide's next great WR
