University of Alabama fans are amazed by a singular player, Ryan Williams. Williams plays wide receiver for the Crimson Tide and is the youngest player on the roster.

The graduate of Saraland High School received many offers from colleges outside of Alabama but ultimately decided that his home state was the place for him. He was successful early in his high school career, which made him the perfect candidate for Alabama. In his sophomore year of high school, he had 24 receiving touchdowns and 15 rushing touchdowns. Also in his sophomore year, Williams became the first sophomore to win the “Mr. Football Award”, which is given to the top high school player in the state.

“I think it’s incredible what he’s doing at his age,” sophomore football player Nash Keiningham said.

To recruiters and coaches, Williams is known for his speed and explosiveness. However, to fans, he stands out because of his age. Willaims, who is only 17, would be a senior in high school if he did not reclassify. This decision made him the youngest player in Power 5 football. He would be a senior in high school currently if it hadn’t been for his decision to graduate early.

“I think it’s crazy,” sophomore football player Luis Rodriguez said. “I don’t know how someone born a year before me plays football at that kind of level.”

On September 28 this year, Williams scored the game-winning touchdown against the AP top 5  Georgia Bulldogs. He caught six passes for 177 yards and scored a touchdown, the 75-yard touchdown catch got his team the lead with only a couple minutes left in the game. 

 “I think that Ryan Williams is an inspiration to young athletes because he is only 17 years old and is playing D1

college football against guys who are much older than him,” junior Peyton Brady said. “Not only is he playing against them but he has been doing amazing this season and has been very beneficial to the team. This is something young athletes look up to because it shows them that they can accomplish great things from a young age.”

Williams has reached young athletes across the country with his plays and good attitude towards the sport. He has blown up on social media apps such as TikTok and Instagram, gaining millions of likes in total and a huge fan base. 

“He has helped push some kids in his position to really realize that they can do it too,” Keiningham said.