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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
