Alabama wide receiver Ryan Williams came into the 2025 season with immense hype. However, there has been an immense gap between those expectations and his on-field performance, which has been a source of frustration for many fans.
NCAA Football: Louisiana State at Alabama
Nov 8, 2025; Tuscaloosa, Alabama, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide wide receiver Ryan Williams (2) carries the ball after a reception against the Louisiana State Tigers during the fourth quarter of the game at Saban Field at Bryant-Denny Stadium. Mandatory Credit: David Leong-Imagn Images
On the “Nightcap” podcast, former NFL tight end Shannon Sharpe told co-hosts Chad Ochocinco and Johnny Manziel that something is going on with Williams. Sharpe took Ohio State’s Jeremiah Smith’s name to properly outline Williams’ struggle, and also offered a blunt take on the Alabama wide receiver.
“I tried to tell Ocho this, Johnny: He’s not even the best receiver on his own team,” Sharpe said. “(Germie) Bernard is better than he is. (Isaiah) Horton is playing better than he is. I get what he is and maybe what he is translates better to the NFL.
“But right now, if you don’t know anything about it and you just watch these guys play, just watch them play this year, and you don’t know anything about Ryan Williams, you don’t know what he did last year. There is no way you’re thinking 2 is better than 1 and 5. Zero chance.”
Former NFL TE and Hall-of-Famer Shannon Sharpe offered a bold take on Alabama WR Ryan Williams.
“He not even the best receiver on his own team,” Sharpe said, “Bernard is better than he is. Horton is playing better than he is.”
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— Crimson Coverage (@CrimsonCoverage) November 17, 2025
Williams suffered a concussion during Alabama’s season-opening loss to Florida State in September, when he dropped three passes. That setback caused him to miss at least one game, and he later also dealt with a leg injury but returned to play in games against Tennessee and South Carolina.
Williams has had strong performances, including a 177-yard game as a freshman last season, but his production this season has been lackluster. This season, he has recorded 39 passes for 573 yards and four touchdowns while having one carry for 16 yards.
Ryan Williams Reflects on Advice from Julio Jones
Before Alabama’s win over LSU, Ryan Williams shared with reporters that he spent some time speaking with Crimson Tide legend Julio Jones recently at Bryant-Denny Stadium. Williams described their exchange as simple but meaningful.
“Just talking a couple basic things,” Williamssaid. “Just to help out in routes and when the ball is in the air, nothing too serious.”
When asked what elements of Jones’ game he hoped to blend into his own style, Williams didn’t hesitate.
“Definitely his physicality and his mentality on each individual play,” he replied. “He plays like its his last play every play. You could just definitely tell, like, he loves football and just continuing to have the attitude of gratitude day-in and day-out, and you just see it. Your film, you can’t wipe that away, so when you turn on his tape, you can’t miss it.”
Jones enjoyed a decorated Alabama career as he was a cornerstone of the 2009 National Championship team and later was selected 6th overall in the 2011 NFL Draft. Now, with the foundation Jones laid and the advice he shared, Williams is aiming to establish himself as Alabama’s next great receiver on his path toward the national stage.