Ryan Williams Tabbed as a 'Sleeper" for Major College Football Honor
Ryan Williams Tabbed as a 'Sleeper" for Major College Football Honor originally appeared on Athlon Sports.
Ryan Williams hit the ground running for the Alabama Crimson Tide in 2024 as a true freshman.
He earned Second Team All-America honors from the AFCA and was named a Freshman All-American by the FWAA. On Saturday, Williams was called a "sleeper" for the Heisman by college football analyst Michael Bratton.
Advertisement
Bratton picked a player from each SEC team who was not a quarterback who could be a sleeper for the award.
The last Alabama player to win the Heisman was quarterback Bryce Young in 2021. DeVonta Smith was the last Alabama receiver to win the award, taking it home in 2020.
Alabama enters the second season of the Kalen DeBoer era as head coach in 2025. DeBoer led the Crimson Tide to a 9-4 record last season.
Alabama Crimson Tide wide receiver Ryan Williams (2). Steve Roberts-Imagn Images
Williams was a former five-star prospect from the 2024 class. The On3 Industry Rankings had him as the No. 3 receiver and No. 5 overall prospect.
The talented receiver got to Alabama earlier than expected, much to the delight of Crimson Tide fans. Williams was originally a member of the 2025 class, but reclassified to 2024 so that he could enroll early with the program.
Advertisement
He made sure to make his mark with the team in 2024, leading Alabama with 865 receiving yards and eight touchdowns. Williams ended the 2024 campaign with a pair of 100-yard games.
The first game of the season was against Western Kentucky in the season opener. Williams finished with 139 receiving yards and two touchdowns.
The other was on the big stage with the Georgia Bulldogs in town. Williams torched the Bulldog defense multiple times to finish with 177 receiving yards and one touchdown.
Alabama has been hot on the recruiting trail under DeBoer. The Crimson Tide is pursuing prospects like Titan Davis and Nolan Wilson.
Advertisement
DeBoer opens the 2025 season against the Florida State Seminoles on August 30.
Related: JC Latham Issues Transfer Portal Warning to Alabama Players
This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 8, 2025, where it first appeared.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
20 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Caitlin Clark Draws Strong Reaction from Kelsey Mitchell Before Fever-Liberty
Caitlin Clark Draws Strong Reaction from Kelsey Mitchell Before Fever-Liberty originally appeared on Athlon Sports. After missing the last five Indiana Fever games due to a left quad injury, Caitlin Clark has been back on the court in practice this week, eyeing a possible return on Saturday against the New York Liberty. Advertisement "We limited their reps, but we really tried to see if we could get them up and down the floor a little bit," Indiana head coach Stephanie White said of Clark and fellow injured guard Sophie Cunningham at Thursday's practice. "Starting to try to get into game rhythm, game speed, game pace." While the exact health of her leg muscle is hard to know, Clark's clutch gene appeared to be at 100 percent in the final drill of practice, and Fever guard Kelsey Mitchell took notice. Indiana Fever guards Kelsey Mitchell (0) and Caitlin Clark (22).Grace Smith, Grace Hollars - IndyStar / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images Clark participated in a shooting drill requiring the team to make 15 shots in 30 seconds from multiple locations on the floor. Advertisement When it was time for mid-range jumpers — one of the parts of Clark's game she worked hard to improve after her 2024 Rookie of the Year campaign — the clock aligned for the 23-year-old to make a buzzer-beater to end the practice. Mitchell reacted to Clark's shot by making the "choke" sign. It was a gesture made famous by Indiana Pacers legend Reggie Miller during a clutch performance against the New York Knicks in the 1994 NBA playoffs. Current-day Pacers star Tyrese Haliburton brought back the iconic gesture after his game-tying shot against the Knicks in the Eastern Conference finals on May 21. Advertisement It has taken over the basketball scene in Indianapolis, as Clark was seen mimicking the gesture while attending Game 3 of the NBA Finals on Wednesday at Gainbridge Fieldhouse, where the Fever also play. Clark's status for the Liberty game on Saturday is unknown as of Thursday. Her averages of 19 points, 6 rebounds and 9.3 assists per game would provide a huge boost to a Fever team that put up its worst offensive performance since 2017 in a loss to Atlanta on Tuesday. The last game Clark played was against the Liberty, a 90-88 loss, where she was unable to get a shot up to win the game on the final possession. Advertisement Related: Stephanie White Makes Proposal After Fever Loss Without Caitlin Clark Related: Caitlin Clark Earns New Nickname for What She Did After Pacers Game This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 12, 2025, where it first appeared.
Yahoo
29 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Aaron Judge Turns Heads After Message to Ex-Yankees Teammate Surfaces
Aaron Judge Turns Heads After Message to Ex-Yankees Teammate Surfaces originally appeared on Athlon Sports. There aren't enough superlatives to describe how Aaron Judge is playing for the New York Yankees this season. The superstar slugger leads baseball with a .394 batting average and a 1.269 OPS, and he's also second with 25 homers and 59 RBI through 66 games. Advertisement The next-closest player in batting average is Athletics shortstop Jacob Wilson at .366, and Los Angeles Dodgers superstar Shohei Ohtani is second with a 1.008 OPS. Judge also tops baseball with 98 hits and is second only to Ohtani with 64 runs scored. The latter player has 68. While Judge is out of the lineup for Thursday's series finale against the Kansas City Royals, Yankees fans were still treated to an ESPN article about him from Wright Thompson. Among other things, this article revealed an exchange between Judge and former Yankees first baseman Anthony Rizzo two years ago. Rizzo played four seasons for the Yankees, including last season when he was on their World Series roster. The Yankees came up short to the Los Angeles Dodgers, losing in five games. Advertisement Fans have been reacting to this message from Judge. "Aaron Judge unironically just called his own career a failure," one stated. "Rizzo winning a ring with Chicago before being told this by Judge makes it extra funny," said another. "That is NOT the 'Yankee way' anymore," one added. "Been a whole lot of failing in the Bronx over the last 20 years then!" one wrote. "They've been saying this the whole Judge it done!!!" added another. New York Yankees outfielder Aaron Judge (99)William Purnell-Imagn Images Judge has hit homers in three straight games, including a two-homer outing in Sunday's 11-7 loss to the Boston Red Sox. The 33-year-old is slashing .364/.488/.788 with four homers and nine RBI over nine contests in June. Advertisement New York has won two straight games and is 6-4 over its last 10. The club is four games ahead of the Toronto Blue Jays for first place in the AL East. The Yankees will clinch a series sweep of the Royals if they win on Thursday night. Right-handed pitcher Will Warren (4-3, 5.34 ERA) will start for them. Related: Yankees' Aaron Boone Announces Giancarlo Stanton News After Loss to Guardians Related: Yankees Make Jazz Chisholm Jr. Announcement After Leaving Royals Game This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 12, 2025, where it first appeared.
Yahoo
29 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Five bullpen arms Philadelphia Phillies should target to replace suspended Jose Alvarado
An already struggling Philadelphia Phillies bullpen was dealt a major blow earlier this week when Jose Alvarado was suspended 80 games for testing positive for a PED. Though Alvarado is eligible to return in late August, he is prohibited from pitching in the postseason if the Phillies advance that far. Prior to his suspension, Alvarado served as the Phillies' top arm out of the bullpen, posting a 2.70 ERA in 20 appearances, with 25 strikeouts across 20 innings. Overall, Philadelphia's relievers rank 23rd in baseball with a 4.57 ERA. Advertisement With a significant hole to fill, here are the Phillies' top five options to target. David Robertson Credit: Kiyoshi Mio-Imagn Images David Robertson remains a free agent despite an effective 2024 season with the Texas Rangers where he recorded a 3.00 ERA in 68 appearances and struck out 99 across 72 innings. The Phillies reportedly reached out to Robertson prior to the Alvarado suspension, but nothing has materialized since then. Phillies president of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski is familiar with the 40-year-old reliever, having traded for him from the Chicago Cubs in 2022. This would be the most cost-effective option for the Phillies, as they wouldn't have to part with any valuable prospects. If Robertson returns, it would mark his third stint in Philadelphia. Felix Bautista Credit: Mitch Stringer-Imagn Images The Baltimore Orioles are struggling and going nowhere this season as they sit in last place in the AL East and recently fired manager Brandon Hyde. Since the O's will likely be sellers at the deadline, they have a valuable trade chip in one-time All-Star closer Felix Bautista, who has returned to action after missing all of last season recovering from Tommy John surgery. He's controllable through 2027 and as a former All-Star could command a premium from the Phillies. His fastball velocity sits at 97 mph and ranks in the 89th percentile, though he is allowing more walks this season. Through 14 games, he has posted a 3.95 ERA and 16 strikeouts in 13 2/3 innings, alongside nine free passes. Pete Fairbanks Credit: Kim Klement Neitzel-Imagn Images Though he doesn't strike out batters at his previous rate, Tampa Bay Rays right-hander Pete Fairbanks still throws 97 mph and carries a 2.37 ERA through 20 appearances. He also has a $7 million club option that could appeal to the Phillies, providing an extra year of control, as they will likely decline Alvarado's $9 million club option for 2026. Fairbanks is coming off consecutive 20-save seasons (25 in 2023 and 23 in 2024) and has recorded eight saves so far this year. Kyle Finnegan Credit: Brett Davis-Imagn Images The lone bright spot in a dismal Washington Nationals bullpen is closer Kyle Finnegan. The 2024 All-Star is tied for the MLB lead in saves with 25. In 18 games, Finnegan has recorded a 2.55 ERA, with a 162 ERA+ and 2.35 FIP. He re-signed with the Nationals on a one-year, $6 million deal in the offseason and will become a free agent after the season. David Bednar Credit: Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images Pittsburgh Pirates closer David Bednar endured a brutal start to the season, getting optioned to Triple-A three games in after posting a 27.00 ERA. Since returning to the mound on April 19, he has delivered 10 scoreless appearances in 14 outings, lowering his ERA to 5.02, while allowing just five earned runs during that stretch. The two-time All-Star has struck out 20 across 13 1/3 innings. Bednar is making $5.9 million this year and remains arbitration eligible for 2026.
