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Will Ryan Williams have a breakout game vs LSU? What Kalen DeBoer, Ryan Grubb said
- Story byThe Tuscaloosa News
- Will Ryan Williams have a breakout game vs LSU? What Kalen DeBoer, Ryan Grubb said
After a week off to rest and recoup before a primetime home matchup vs. LSU , Alabama football coach Kalen DeBoer and offensive coordinator Ryan Grubb think Ryan Williams is ready to roll.
Williams had a slow start to the season, with inconsistencies in catching the ball spreading concern about the sophomore wideout. But in a 37-20 win over Tennessee on the third Saturday of October, Williams had a turnaround performance, leading the Crimson Tide receiving corps with five receptions for 87 yards in what marked his first drop-less performance of the season. That productivity carried through on the road at South Carolina when Williams caught seven passes for 72 yards in a 29-22 win on Oct. 25.
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Although there was a tough missed catch on fourth-and-1 for Williams against the Gamecocks , Grubb said he's been impressed with the receiver for stepping up in other areas of the game, especially blocking on run routes.
"I think Ryan's as hard on himself as anybody," Grubb said. "So, for us, (we're) keeping Ryan engaged and being here, being in the building, staying active in his preparation."
Alabama had an extra week of preparation with the idle period ahead of LSU coming to town, and the Crimson Tide did not waste it. DeBoer said he's seen Williams run each route at full speed and put in extra reps before and after practices.
"No one on our team is ever going to question the work he puts in and how important it is to him," DeBoer said. "... We're all human, so he's not going to be perfect, but he's really continued to home in on the things that matter."
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With the Tigers coming off an idle week before their first game without coach Brian Kelly, the stage is set for a breakout performance from the young receiver. DeBoer thinks Williams' approach to improvement has him prepared for the challenge.
"Whenever adversity comes, it's your response," DeBoer said. "I think any type of adversity he's ever had, his response is always to go attack, whether it's coming off of an injury or whether it's coming off of him wanting to play better than he did the week before, it's always 100%."
Alabama (7-1, 5-0 Southeastern Conference) will host LSU (5-3, 2-3) at 6:30 p.m. CT on Saturday, Nov. 8 at Bryant-Denny Stadium.
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Amelia Hurley covers high school sports and Alabama softball for The Tuscaloosa News. She can be reached through DM on X at ameliahurley_ or via email at ahurley@gannett.com.
This article originally appeared on The Tuscaloosa News: Here's how Alabama football's Ryan Williams has been preparing for LSU
