Despite scoring two touchdowns, a vital part of Alabama’s offense didn’t surface early, which raises questions. Star wide receiver Ryan Williams only caught one pass to this point, leading to questions.
Williams tallied just one catch for seven yards against the University of Georgia in the first quarter. The Alabama standout followed up with an eight-yard grab late in the second quarter.
What Happened to Alabama WR Ryan Williams?
Wide receivers Isaiah Horton, Germie Bernard, and Lotzeir Brooks each boast more yardage than Williams in the game.
Speaking of Bernard, he caught a six-yard pass from quarterback Ty Simpson to break a scoreless tie.
Germie Bernard is one of the most underappreciated WRs in college football pic.twitter.com/WpqS5vCMTK
— NFL Draft Files (@NFL_DF) September 28, 2025
After, Simpson found Bernard for a six-yard score to make the score 14-0.
Isaiah Horton’s 6-yard TD grab from Ty Simpson extends Alabama’s early lead! pic.twitter.com/Nj2xRArvjK
— TSN (@TSN_Sports) September 28, 2025
With a lack of production, you’d expect that Williams just didn’t see quality targets. However, Simpson attempted to involve the former All-American pass catcher.
Entering this game, Williams played two games, catching ten passes for 195 yards and two touchdowns. Last season, as a freshman, Williams caught 48 passes for 865 yards and eight touchdowns, earning first-team All-SEC in the process.
Williams suffered a concussion during a first-week loss to Florida State that kept him out of the following game against Louisiana-Monroe. Whether his disappearance in this game is a residual effect remains to be seen.
Alabama counts on Williams for a myriad of reasons. First, he traces routes with precision. From his release off the line, you can see no wasted movement and the ability to defeat the jam without breaking stride. Williams’ speed will cause some defenses to play slightly off, granting them a cushion.
Williams dismisses that attempt and will still run by the corners. Next, the body control with the ball aloft and after the grab. The sophomore can run the sideline without much worry about stepping out of bounds. Moreover, he possesses the awareness to drag the toe on sideline catches, making himself a total wide receiver.
The Alabama standout followed up with another seven-yard grab late in the second quarter. While Williams continues to struggle in the first thirty minutes, Georgia’s defensive scheme seems determined to lock him down and force Simpson to find other targets. So far, UGA looks to make Simpson run completely through his progression.
With time winding down, it appears that the Bulldogs may be changing their attack. Williams sprung free for an 18-yard completion, as the Crimson Tide tried to extend their lead to 24-14. Williams will leave the locker room with three catches and 32 yards. How will he rebound in the second half?
