In an announcement that sent shockwaves across the college football world, Williams was named the 2024 recipient of the prestigious award, beating out a loaded field of eight elite finalists. The honor not only cements his place in Alabama lore but signals the arrival of college football’s next true superstar.
The Shaun Alexander Award: A Badge of Greatness
Named after the legendary Alabama and NFL running back Shaun Alexander, the Freshman of the Year Award is presented annually by the Maxwell Football Club to the top freshman in college football. Past winners include standout talents like Trevor Lawrence, Rondale Moore, and Nick Singleton — players who didn’t just star at the collegiate level but carried their brilliance into the NFL.
For Ryan Williams, the award is more than a trophy; it’s a milestone on a path he’s been carving since his record-breaking days at Saraland High School in Alabama. And though expectations were sky-high, few imagined he’d shine quite this brightly — this quickly.
Dominating the Spotlight: Williams’ Record-Setting Freshman Campaign
At just 17 years old when he arrived on campus in Tuscaloosa, Williams skipped his senior year of high school and reclassified to join the Crimson Tide a year early. That decision, once considered risky, now looks prophetic.
Williams wasted no time adjusting to the college game. In fact, he stormed out of the gates with a bang, catching 8 passes for 141 yards and a touchdown in his debut against Wisconsin in the Advocare Kickoff Classic. His dazzling speed, sharp route-running, and elite ball skills made him an instant weapon in new head coach Kalen DeBoer’s offense.
By midseason, Williams had already surpassed 800 receiving yards. By season’s end, he had shattered Alabama freshman receiving records with 78 receptions, 1,203 yards, and 12 touchdowns, leading all SEC freshmen and ranking in the top 10 nationally in all major receiving categories.
And it wasn’t just the numbers — it was the moments. Williams saved his best for the biggest stages: a 75-yard touchdown against Georgia, a game-winning catch in the Iron Bowl, and a 10-catch, 152-yard explosion in the SEC Championship Game that helped propel the Tide to the College Football Playoff.
Outshining the Competition: A Field of Stars
The 2024 Shaun Alexander Award featured a competitive field of finalists, each with remarkable seasons. Among them:
- DJ Lagway, QB, Florida – The Gators’ dual-threat quarterback wowed fans with his arm and legs, accounting for over 3,000 total yards and 28 touchdowns.
- Justice Haynes, RB, Alabama – Williams’ own teammate and fellow freshman phenom, Haynes rushed for 1,109 yards and 14 scores.
- Zachariah Branch, WR/RET, USC – A human highlight reel, Branch electrified special teams and the Trojans’ offense with his blazing speed.
- Caleb Downs, S, Ohio State – The former Alabama safety transfer led the Buckeyes in tackles and became the heart of the defense.
Each of these players had a compelling case, but voters ultimately couldn’t ignore Williams’ production, playmaking, and poise — especially given the context of a freshman reclassifying, entering the brutal SEC, and immediately becoming his team’s No. 1 option.
“He’s just special,” said Alabama quarterback Jalen Milroe. “There’s speed, there’s talent — but Ryan? He has that it factor. You feel it when he steps on the field.”
From Saraland to Stardom: A Star is Born
Born and raised in Saraland, Alabama, Ryan Williams was always destined for greatness. As a sophomore in high school, he exploded onto the national radar, catching 88 passes for 1,641 yards and 24 touchdowns. His junior season? Even more dominant. He won Gatorade Player of the Year in Alabama — twice — and was ranked as the No. 1 wide receiver in the 2024 class before reclassifying.
His commitment to Alabama always felt like fate. The in-state prodigy turning down offers from Georgia, Texas, LSU, and Florida State to stay home and carry on the Crimson Tide’s legacy of elite wide receivers — from Julio Jones and Amari Cooper to DeVonta Smith and Jameson Williams.
But unlike his predecessors, Williams didn’t have the luxury of easing into the role. With the departure of Jermaine Burton and Isaiah Bond to the NFL, and a new offensive scheme under DeBoer, Williams was asked to be a leader from Day One.
And boy, did he deliver.
“He plays like he’s been in college for three years,” said Coach DeBoer. “The maturity, the film study, the work ethic — it’s off the charts. I’ve coached a lot of talented players, but Ryan is something else.”
The Humble Superstar: Williams Keeps Eyes on the Team
Despite his meteoric rise and individual accolades, Ryan Williams remains grounded. Following the award announcement, he deflected praise to his teammates, coaches, and family.
“This award is for my team,” Williams said. “From Jalen (Milroe) trusting me to Coach DeBoer putting me in position to succeed — I’m just grateful. It’s not about me. It’s about Alabama football.”
That humility is part of what makes him so beloved. Teammates rave about his quiet confidence. Coaches marvel at his coachability. Fans can’t get enough of his highlights, but it’s his drive that resonates most.
He often credits his father, Ryan Williams Sr., who played college football at Auburn, for instilling discipline and perspective. “He always told me, talent gets you noticed — but work ethic keeps you there,” Williams said.
A Glimpse into the Future: What’s Next for No. 1?
With the 2024 season in the rearview, Alabama looks ahead to what could be a historic 2025 campaign — and Ryan Williams figures to be at the center of it all.
After a College Football Playoff appearance in his freshman season, expectations are sky-high in Tuscaloosa. Jalen Milroe is back, the offensive line is reloaded, and the defense, led by Downs’ replacement in five-star freshman Peyton Woodyard, looks elite.
But make no mistake: this is Ryan Williams’ team now.
NFL scouts are already salivating at his potential. While draft eligibility is still two years away, some have begun comparing him to NFL greats like Marvin Harrison Jr., Jaylen Waddle, and even DeVonta Smith.
“He’s the total package,” said former Tide and NFL great Ozzie Newsome. “And he’s only going to get better.”
Indeed, that might be the most terrifying — and exciting — part for opposing defenses: he’s only 18.
Alabama’s New Legacy: The Next Chapter Begins
Alabama football has never lacked for stars. From Heisman winners to All-Americans, the program is a pipeline for NFL greatness. But Ryan Williams represents something slightly different — a bridge between eras.
In the post-Nick Saban landscape, many wondered whether Alabama could maintain its dominance. Kalen DeBoer’s arrival came with both optimism and uncertainty. But with Williams’ breakout freshman campaign, the Crimson Tide may have found their new cornerstone.
“He’s redefining what it means to be a freshman,” said ESPN’s Kirk Herbstreit. “This isn’t just a great season. It’s the start of a career that could go down in history.”
A Message Heard Loud and Clear
As Ryan Williams took the stage to accept the Shaun Alexander Award in Philadelphia, donning a crimson blazer with “Roll Tide” stitched on the inside lining, the college football world took notice.
There are great players. There are legends. And then there are those rare few who arrive early, stay late, and change the game.
Ryan Williams is one of those few.
With a trophy now in hand and the nation watching, the message is clear: