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The Tuscaloosa News
Why this Alabama football player is the 'Ryan Williams' of the Crimson Tide defense
- Story byThe Tuscaloosa News
- Why this Alabama football player is the 'Ryan Williams' of the Crimson Tide defense
Alabama football was able to turn pressure into production Saturday, Sept. 13 against Wisconsin at Bryant-Denny Stadium , finishing with its first four sacks of the 2025 season.
Veterans took up the majority of that production with defensive lineman LT Overton breaking the sack seal and both Qua Russaw and Yhonzae Pierre following suit against the Badgers ' offensive line. But one freshman was able to join in, a freshman thrust into a starting position as Tim Keenan III recovers from an ankle injury.
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London Simmons barreled through the middle of the Wisconsin offensive line at the start of the second quarter of Alabama's 38-14 win against the Badgers. He brought down Wisconsin quarterback Danny O'Neal for a 9-yard loss on third down, sparking a celebration ahead of a Badgers punt.
Simons finished with three tackles and a sack, a performance that left Russaw impressed.
"It was amazing," Russaw said. "A freshman like that, coming in and stepping up, and making a big play? I'm sure he felt good."
But Russaw was not shocked. Since Simmons arrived over the summer ahead if his freshman season, Russaw said Simmons has been "different," whether it's describing his mindset or his work ethic.
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It reminds him of another former freshman who shined immediately after he arrived during the summer before his first season.
"It's a quick turnaround. Kind of like Ryan (Williams)," Russaw said. "Ryan came in the summer too. So it's a sight to see, see him do that."
Alabama will have its first off week of 2025 before facing Georgia on the road Sept. 28.
Colin Gay covers Alabama football for The Tuscaloosa News, part of the USA TODAY Network. Reach him at cgay@gannett.com or follow him @_ColinGay on X, formerly known as Twitter.
This article originally appeared on The Tuscaloosa News: This Alabama football player is the 'Ryan Williams' of the defense
