Kids will remember when Ryan Williams threw them a touchdown pass

 

 

 

 

 

“I’m proud of who he is as a young man and as he’s getting older, everybody’s starting to see his character and personality and his willingness to get involved,” Saraland coach Jeff Kelly said. “It speaks volumes about who he is as a young man and what he wants to be about.”

How many 8-year-olds can say they caught a football thrown by the man called Hollywood? Williams, 18, who is preparing for his sophomore season at Alabama, happily threw passes to boys and girls who rotated through his station like a rotisserie on a sweltering Sabbath morning. They competed for the honor like ducks in a pond fighting over pieces of bread thrown into the water and Williams often celebrated with whoever came out of the swarm clutching the football by running down the field, jumping into the air and chest bumping the thrilled youngster. Each and every time, genuine joy was splashed on the faces of Williams and the kid who had the ball.

Few of them will go on to play college football and some won’t even play in high school but they will all remember that moment.

“It means a lot just for me to be in my position and understand that what I did today can impact someone’s life for the rest of their life,” Williams said afterward while cooling down with his younger brothers and his camp entourage. “It’s a blessing that I’m able to do that.”

Williams gave those who attended his camp validation that working hard and living the right way has its rewards. Of course, his siblings Fat and Chunk were also at the camp and they earned some special attention and critiques from their famous older brother.

“My little brother was out there and, you know, he was sorry,” a grinning Williams said.

After the laughter faded, the freshman All-American and first-team All-SEC receiver was asked how difficult it is to play football at such a high level and manage his NIL endorsement deals with Fortnite online games, EA Sports, Wingstop, Uber, NASCAR, Hollister Clothing and Sally Hansen nail polish plus his New Wave podcast with his good friend and teammate Jaylen Mbakwe.

“Trying to find balance is the hardest thing,” he said. “But with the team that I have behind me, with the university and my family, it’s been pretty easy.”

Williams has always made whatever he does look effortless and the same was true at Sunday’s camp. Williams was throwing 45-yard dimes; fans forget he was a quarterback most of his life and is entering only his fifth year playing receiver.

“I try to tell them that was my first job before I started catching the passes,” he said.

Sunday was a time for Williams to return to his roots, to be a kid among the kids, instead of the young man who finds it increasingly difficult to be seen in public and not be inundated for autograph or photo requests. He’s even been asked for selfies during class.

“It’s mission impossible,” Williams said. “But I take it as a blessing because it’s a reason I’m in these shoes. I enjoy the moment because I’m not always going to be this famous.”

Williams has always seemed to have just the proper mixture of humility, class and arrogance. After all, the great athletes always have some swagger but Williams has never been obnoxious. He doesn’t wear ordinary shoes but does tie them the way everybody else does.

On Sunday, he wore custom cleats designed by his friend Deacon Stanfield featuring Williams’ likeness on his right foot and a glittering “Top 10” on his left.

“I had to rock the Top 10 cleats today just to remind people what they’re getting this season,” Williams said.

Presumably, few defensive backs will see Williams’ face on his right cleat as he races past them, although he has gained about 15 pounds.

“That’s my I-just-beat-you look,” he said.

Williams said Alabama fans will see a more prolific offense this season no matter who plays quarterback, Ty Simpson or Keelon Russell. Last year, the Tide became too predictable with Jalen Milroe and SEC defenses figured out Williams. He saw half as many balls in the last half of the season as he did in the first half, saw his average per catch drop from 21 yards to 13 and had just one touchdown reception in the last six games. Alabama was 1-3 in one-score games after beating Georgia 41-34 on Williams’ 75-yard TD catch and run, a Hollywood ending and one of the greatest plays in Tide history.

This year, Williams will move around the formation more often, including a role as a slot receiver, which will help create mismatches.

“Playing in a slot is super exciting for me just because I love being able to showcase my ability in different places, whether I’m in the backfield, slot, outside, it don’t really matter,” he said. “I know we have a lot of playmakers on the outside and in the backfield. We’ve got an eight-man-deep receiving corps that anybody on the field, we can make something happen. The O-line’s the best in the country. We’ve got three of the best quarterbacks in the country. We have all the potential, all the depth that we need, it’s just a matter of putting it together. I think we’re going to be very explosive and I’m super excited. We’ve got a defense that’s going to get us the ball back all the time. So, it’s just a matter of us doing it.”

If only Alabama can move up and down the field as it does in the EA Sports 2026 video game, which features Williams on the cover.

“It’s very realistic, if you ask me,” Williams said. “I’m always scoring touchdowns. They gave me room to grow. I got an opportunity to hit 99 throughout the season, so I enjoy it.”

The 99 rating indicates the player is among the best in the game at his position.

Williams might also score a 99 if there was a recruiting game. He is heavily involved in convincing players to join Alabama’s program, including the recent wave of five-star commitments.

“It goes back to making an impact on people,” he said. “I know with me recruiting, it makes an impact on the next generation, the guys that are going to be playing for the University of Alabama. So just knowing that, why wouldn’t I?”

He even convinced his old friend Labaron Philon to return to the Tide next season instead of making himself available for the NBA Draft. He also claimed he is a better basketball player than Philon is a football player.

“For sure,” Williams said. “That ain’t even close. We always have this argument. He’s not a football player.”

Williams is. But take away the football and he’s still a fine human being, the kind you’d want your son to hang around and look up to.