For a five-star freshman for the Crimson Tide, the parallels to a legend in both the National Football League and Alabama football just keep coming.
The gifted wide receiver Ryan Williams was likened to Julio Jones on a podcast with Mick Gillespie and former Alabama quarterback Jacob Coker. In the summer of 2014, Coker, who played for Alabama from 2014 to 2015, switched from Florida State University to the Crimson Tide. The product of Mobile, Alabama, finally got his chance in 2015 after trailing Blake Sims, and he led the squad to a College Football Playoff National Championship. Williams, according to Coker, is Kalen DeBoer’s take on Jones.
Ryan Williams seems like another high character guy, so you bring him in, Coker said. “From what I’ve heard, he’s got it—he works hard during workouts and in the weight room, and he makes the extra effort to recruit guys.” After only a few months, he is already enlisting for the following class. It speaks volumes about him and the collective effort of all those occupying the building.
Both Coker and Gillespie believe that Williams’ decision to recommit and sign with the Tide marked the beginning of Alabama’s success under DeBoer in terms of recruitment. The Tide began a prosperous streak of national titles and top-ranked signing classes in 2008 when they signed Jones.
Williams wants Alabama football to live up to the highest expectations because he is aware of them. Fans in Alabama are eager to see him perform live in the fall.
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