Alabama Makes Major Ryan Williams Announcement on Tuesday
Despite being one of the youngest players across all of college football this past season at just 17 years old, Alabama wide receiver Ryan Williams was a star for the Crimson Tide.
Advertisement
The former five-star recruit who reclassified from the 2025 recruiting class to the 2024 was one of the few bright spots in what was Alabama's worst season since 2007.
He finished the year with 48 catches for 865 yards and eight receiving touchdowns while also adding two scores on the ground. His stellar showing earned him Freshman All-American honors, and he was also named First-Team All-SEC.
With the college football season about 60 days away from kicking off, preseason honors are starting to be dished out, and Williams has been on the receiving end.
As shared to social media by the program, Williams was one of three players named to the Walter Camp Preseason All-America team.
Joining him in receiving this honor were left tackle Kadyn Proctor, who also received a first-team nod, and defensive lineman Tim Keenan III, a second-team selection.
Advertisement
Although there are quite a few preseason All-America honors that have yet to be named, Walter Camp claims to be the "nation's oldest college football All-America team."
Alabama Crimson Tide wide receiver Ryan Williams.John David Mercer-Imagn Images
In this year's edition, it was revealed in a release by Walter Camp that 34 different programs were represented throughout the first and second teams. The SEC continues to show its dominance, with the most schools represented, 12.
The release also revealed that Alabama was one of five schools with three players named to a preseason All-America team.
With Alabama expected to have a better passing quarterback in either Ty Simpson or Keelon Russell, Williams could be due for an even bigger sophomore season.
Advertisement
Related: Nation's No. 1 QB Left Speechless After Georgia's Latest Commitment
This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jul 1, 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
15 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Final preseason SEC Power Rankings
The college football season is just days away. Texas begins its second season in the SEC and the expectations are sky high for the Longhorns. Texas and Georgia again look to be the cream of the crop in the best conference in the sport. But what about the rest of the conference? In addition to UT and UGA, Tennessee also made the college football playoffs last season. Will the Vols take a step back after losing QB Nico Iamaleava to the transfer portal? Alabama and Ole Miss came close to making the playoff. Both could be better in 2025. The Sooners look improved with new QB John Mateer under center. The Aggies hope to be better. As does LSU, who could either compete for the title or fall flat again down the stretch. So much will depend on the quarterbacks. Many return, like Florida's DJ Lagway and Vanderbilt's Diego Pavia. Some teams feature new QBs, like Texas and Georgia. Here are the final 2025 preseason SEC Power Rankings: 16. Mississippi State Bulldogs The Bulldogs were the last place team in the SEC last season and it shouldn't change in 2025. Head coach Jeff Lebby seems in over his head. In 2024, Mississippi State finished the SEC season 0-8. The Bulldogs also got blown out by Toledo, 41-17. QB Blake Shapen is back after missing much of last season to injury. 15. Kentucky Wildcats Head coach Mark Stoops and the Wildcats put a scare in some teams last season, but in the end finished an abysmal 1-7 in the league. Stoops has brought in former Aggies QB Zach Calzada through the transfer portal, but there aren't many winnable conference games for the 'Cats. 14. Arkansas Razorbacks The Hogs finished with a winning record last season, but finished 3-5 in the SEC. Quarterback Taylen Green is back and Arkansas should be around a .500 team again. But the schedule is tough with Texas, A&M and Ole Miss on the schedule. Plus the Razorbacks play Notre Dame out of conference. 13. Vanderbilt Commodores Vandy was a surprise last season behind QB Diego Pavia. The Commodores finished the season with a winning record and a huge upset of Alabama. Vanderbilt gave Texas a huge scare in Nashville as well. But there won't be a surprise this season and with all of the good vibes, Vandy still finished 3-5 in the SEC. 12. Auburn Tigers Head coach Huge Freeze has had a rocky offseason and now is pinning Auburn's hopes on former Oklahoma QB Jackson Arnold. Arnold was abject last season in Norman, but maybe a change of scenery will help. The defense should be solid thanks to future first rounders EDGE Keldric Faulk and DB Jay Crawford. 11. Tennessee Volunteers Look for the Vols to take a step back in 2025. The messy departure of QB Nico Iamaleava could reverberate throughout the season. Former Appalachian State quarterback Joey Aguilar should be solid for coach Josh Heupel. But he doesn't have the elite skills required to win in the SEC. 10. Texas A&M Aggies It is year two of the Mike Elko era Aggieland. A&M was decent last season, but struggled against the upper tier of the conference. Redshirt sophomore quarterback Marcel Reed should be improved. But the Aggies have a tough schedule that culminates in Austin. 9. Oklahoma Sooners OU should be better this season. Just the addition of former Washington State QB John Mateer through the transfer portal should help the offense. OU had a solid defense last season and that should stay the same. But if the Sooners can't keep up again on offense it will be another long season. 8. Missouri Tigers The Tigers have been a consistently good team under coach Eliah Drinkwitz. Mizzou leans into the transfer portal. Starting QB Beau Pribula comes from Penn State. Missouri will jump up and get a big upset at some point this season. Alabama, A&M and South Carolina all must travel to Columbia. 7. Florida Gators Florida's 2024 season was headed for disaster. But behind dynamic QB DJ Lagway, the Gators scored late season upsets of LSU and Ole Miss. UF coach Billy Napier will hope Lagway can push the Gators over the line a few more times this season. Florida will open its SEC season hosting Texas. 6. LSU Tigers LSU has enough talent to win the SEC, Brian Kelly's teams tend to disappoint. QB Garrett Nussmeier is purported to be a Heisman candidate. The Tigers conference schedule is tough. Just like last season, LSU will be tested in Week 1 with a trip to Clemson that could set the trajectory of the season. 5. Ole Miss Rebels Lane Kiffin seems to be building something in Oxford. Last year, Ole Miss just missed the college football playoffs. Ole Miss knocked off Georgia and South Carolina last season. But losses to LSU and Florida were killers. Kiffin hit the portal to reload at receiver and beef up the defense. 4. South Carolina Gamecocks A pleasant surprise last season, the Gamecocks look to build on 2024. QB LaNorris Sellers is a unique talent and should help the Gamecocks navigate a tricky schedule that includes home games against Alabama and Clemson, with road games at Texas A&M and LSU. 3. Alabama Crimson Tide The Tide's three SEC losses last season were all shocking in their own way. Obviously, no one expected 'Bama to lose to Vanderbilt or Oklahoma. The OU loss cost Alabama a college football playoff berth. Ty Simpson will be the Crimson Tide's starting QB. The junior has waited three seasons for his turn. 2. Georgia Bulldogs It is tight between Georgia and Texas at the top of the SEC. Last year, Georgia beat Texas twice. It seems the Longhorns have more talent this season, but the Horns must travel to Athens to face the Bulldogs this year. So much of Georgia's season depends on QB Gunner Stockton. 1. Texas Longhorns The Longhorns look loaded. The defense could be the best in the country with three All-Americans, one on each position group. Arch Manning takes over a QB. What he might lack in experience he should make up for in arm strength and speed. Could coach Steve Sarkisian finally win a national title? This article originally appeared on Longhorns Wire: SEC Power Rankings: Final preseason ranking 1 to 16
Yahoo
15 minutes ago
- Yahoo
LSU football players named to 2025 All-SEC preseason coaches team. Who made the list?
Seven LSU football players made the cut for the 2025 preseason All-SEC Coaches team unveiled Tuesday. Senior quarterback Garrett Nussmeier, junior linebacker Whit Weeks and senior return specialist Barion Brown were named to the first-team offense, defense and special teams, respectively, making LSU the only SEC team to have at least one first-team player on all three units. No. 9 LSU kicks off the 2025 season in a top-10 showdown at No. 6 Clemson Aug. 30 (6:30 p.m. CT, ABC). BUY LSU FOOTBALL TICKETS Here is the full list of LSU players that made the 2025 All-SEC preseason coaches team: First Team QB Garrett Nussmeier LB Whit Weeks RS Barion Brown Second Team RB Caden Durham WR Aaron Anderson LB Harold Perkins Jr. All Purpose Zavion Thomas Third Team RS Zavion Thomas Cory Diaz covers the LSU Tigers for The Daily Advertiser as part of the USA TODAY Network. Follow his Tigers coverage on Twitter: @ByCoryDiaz. Got questions regarding LSU athletics? Send them to Cory Diaz at bdiaz@ This article originally appeared on Lafayette Daily Advertiser: Which LSU football player made 2025 All-SEC preseason coaches team?
Yahoo
15 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Alabama football 2025 season preview, predictions: Jaylen Mbakwe
One of the top overall athletes on the Alabama Crimson Tide's roster, Jaylen Mbakwe is certainly an intriguing name to monitor as we enter the 2025 season. A former top recruit, Mbakwe is making a position change during his second season with the Crimson Tide this fall, moving from the defensive side of the ball to offense. With this, Mbakwe moves from cornerback to wide receiver. Playing both ways in high school as well, wide receiver is a position that Mbakwe has past experience in, leaving reason to believe that the former in-state star could certainly make an impact for the Crimson Tide offensive this season. An intriguing player on the Crimson Tide's roster, here is everything you need to know about Alabama wide receiver Jaylen Mbakwe entering the 2025 season. Jaylen Mbakwe player information Position: Wide Receiver Jersey Number: No. 3 Height: 5'11 Weight: 190 Class: Sophomore Hometown: Clay, Alabama High School: Clay-Chalkville Jaylen Mbakwe career stats Mbakwe is entering his second season at Alabama this fall, as well as his first on the offensive side of the ball. Last season, Mbakwe appeared in 12 games for the Crimson Tide where he had 15 tackles, one TFL, one interception, and two PD, while also returning two punts for 46 yards, as well as a kickoff for 15 yards. Jaylen Mbakwe 2024 stats As mentioned previously, Mbakwe saw action for the Crimson Tide a year ago as a true freshman with 15 tackles, one TFL, one interception, and two PD across 12 games. Mbakwe also saw time on special teams where he had two punt returns for 46 yards, as well as a kick return for 15 yards. Jaylen Mbakwe recruiting ranking According to the 247Sports Composite rankings, Mbakwe was considered as the nation's No. 12 overall prospect in the 2024 recruiting class, as well as the No. 2 cornerback nationally. A five-star prospect, Mbakwe committed to the Crimson Tide in July 2022, and was rated as the No. 3 player in the state of Alabama out of in-state Clay-Chalkville High School. Jaylen Mbakwe 2025 season outlook Similar to his freshman season, Mbakwe is likely to make an impact for the Crimson Tide in 2025, but in what exact role could that be? Entering the season, Mbakwe does not currently project as one of Alabama's starting wide receivers, but is however among the top backup options. One of the top athletes on Alabama's roster, Mbakwe should see action throughout the season at receiver, as well as on special teams, and could potentially emerge into a larger role offensively as the season goes along. Overall, expect to see a lot of Mbakwe once again this season, but for the former five-star prospect to likely not rank among Alabama's top two-to-three leading receivers. Jaylen Mbakwe 2025 season prediction 2025 Prediction: 15 receptions, 200 yards, 2 TD, 5 kick/punt returns, 50 yards Contact/Follow us @RollTideWire on X, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Alabama news, notes and opinion. This article originally appeared on Roll Tide Wire: Alabama football 2025 preview, predictions: Jaylen Mbakwe
