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Why Tennessee win was a 'child's game' for Alabama football WR Ryan Williams
- Story byThe Tuscaloosa News
- Why Tennessee win was a 'child's game' for Alabama football WR Ryan Williams
This season against Tennessee , Ryan Williams didn't have to score a touchdown to make a difference for Alabama football .
The game-changer turned out to be what was (technically) the sophomore receiver's first dropless performance of the year.
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As injuries lingered for Williams and Germie Bernard took over as Alabama 's receiving yards leader in 2025, the voices of the naysayers got louder and louder on social media, "Hollywood" never lost the things that gave him his nickname. On the Third Saturday in October against rival Tennessee, he gave fans a long-awaited reminder of the flash he brings to the field.
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In 2024, Williams had a touchdown on a season-high eight catches in a 24-17 loss to Tennessee. He had more impact in the 37-20 win over the Vols on Saturday, Oct. 18, however.
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At 17 years old a year prior, Williams amassed 73 receiving yards, averaging 9.1 yards per reception with a long of 16. One year older as a sophomore, Williams averaged 17.4 yards per catch for a total of 87 yards on five targets.
The precise positioning and body adjustment Williams is known for has made for solid gains this season, but the hands that wowed the country when he was a freshman had been missing up until this outing.
"Honestly, confidence, it's always been there," Williams said. "It's just been a matter of playing my game, and continuing to keep the joy in the game."
What Alabama football WR Ryan Williams did vs Tennessee
Despite an offensive slump coming out of halftime, Williams' three catches in the first half teed Alabama up to sustain the success that sent it into the locker room with a 23-7 lead. Going man-to-man, Williams went up to make his longest grab of the night on a 31-yard dart by quarterback Ty Simpson with 9:16 to go in the first quarter. He added a 16-yard rush off a reverse to Tennesse's 9-yard line. With 1:45 on the clock in the first quarter, Williams made a diving snag for his second reception under the pressure of Tennessee defensive back Boo Carter .
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The second quarter only featured one play by Williams, and while he didn't cross the goal line, his grab for 14 yards set running back Jam Miller up for a 1-yard punch into the end zone.
It was a quieter second half for Williams. He had to visit with trainers after a 9-yard catch up the middle to advance the Crimson Tide into Tennessee territory with 9:20 to go in the third quarter. However, he got back in the game for 14-yard gain on a short curl pass from Ty Simpson, spinning out of the way of defenders to advance another 10 yards.
"It's a child's game," Williams said. "Just having fun out there."
Alabama visits South Carolina on Saturday, Oct. 25, at Williams-Brice Stadium in Columbia at 2:30 p.m. CT.
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Emilee Smarr covers Alabama basketball and Crimson Tide athletics for the Tuscaloosa News. She can be reached via email at esmarr@gannett.com.
This article originally appeared on The Tuscaloosa News: Why Tennessee win was 'child's game' for Alabama football WR Ryan Williams
