Most people see the fame. But few understand the journey. Alabama’s star wideout, Ryan Williams, is now in the cover for EA Sports’ CFB 26. He is living a dream many only fantasize about. From being a star at Saraland High School to a Crimson Tide’s elite player. All of this despite reclassifying a year early and still excelling. While everyone celebrated his amazing plays for Alabama, Williams faced unseen challenges. As he opens up about these struggles, fans are starting to grasp the strength and determination that built the star they thought they already knew.

Last season, Jalen Milroe put on a show against Georgia in Bryant-Denny Stadium, throwing for 374 yards and running for 117 in a stunning 41-34 victory. While Milroe’s impressive 98.6 QB rating grabbed headlines, freshman Ryan Williams quietly excelled. Averaging 29.5 yards per catch and totaling 177 receiving yards. That performance made him an overnight sensation. And since then, he kept stacking highlights throughout the season. But all of this was a result of continuous grind after facing constant setbacks.

And Touchdown Alabama Magazine didn’t waste a moment shedding light on it. They hit IG with Ryan Williams’s video of him reviewing his last season’s highlights, where he said, “Y’all just don’t know… everything I was dealing with last year… Lord willing, got a lot in store, but this wasn’t nothing.” Well, the silent battle is still under wraps. But Milroe made sure his game always remained top-notch. And his game highlight shows it perfectly. Where he caught a 31-yard TD from Jalen and finished with 4 receptions for 78 yards and a TD against Wisconsin.

Then he continued the same streak against South Florida, where he recorded a touchdown rushing for 68 yards with a 43-yard score in the fourth quarter. But with those big moments, there were also moments of concern. Remember Alabama’s game against Tennessee? Where Milore was only targeting Ryan Williams with his passes. And that left fans in fury, and they also pointed out that the QB had no care about the pressure a 17-year-old could face. Well, can we blame them? In that game Williams was targeted 20 times.

But despite all of it, Ryan Williams shined bright. And now? Nike has just expanded its already impressive NIL roster by adding Alabama’s Ryan Williams. The sophomore wide receiver made waves in college football last season, earning Freshman All-American and First-Team All-SEC recognition. Now, he’s capitalizing off the field, officially partnering with Nike and entering a new level of prominence.

This isn’t just a sponsorship for Williams, it’s joining a legacy. As Nike’s NIL program doesn’t offer deals to every random player. The brand fully supports its athletes with comprehensive backing, top-notch marketing, and a reputation for innovation. For Williams, this is a clear indication of his arrival to the rest of the league. But that’s not the only thing that’s turning heads.

Ryan Williams’ caliber gets backing

Well, the hype building around Ryan Williams is real. But analyst Joel Klatt took it to another level. Williams, who just turned 18 and is entering his sophomore year, secured the No. 5 spot on Klatt’s list of the top 10 players in college football, a remarkable achievement for such a young player. Only Jeremiah Smith of Ohio State, safety Caleb Downs, Clemson quarterback Cade Klubnik, and Texas quarterback Arch Manning were ranked higher than him. And that’s no small feat.

Williams burst onto the scene as a freshman in 2024, hauling in 48 passes for 856 yards and scoring eight touchdowns. His 18-yard average per catch showed how well he could stretch the field. Klatt praised not only his speed but also his comprehensive skill set. “He’s dynamic. He’s fast. His body control is outstanding. The way that he can, as a young player, understand his position on the field and also where he’s at in relation to the defender? His body control, yes, but it’s more his spatial awareness,” Klatt said, describing how Williams always gets into position to make significant plays.

But the hype train continues, as Ryan Williams also lands on the 2025 Maxwell Award watch list. The University of Alabama announced that he is among 80 players being considered for the annual award honoring the best player in college football. So if Ryan Williams wins the prestigious honor, he will join the list of Alabama athletes who’ve previously won the award, including AJ McCarron, Derrick Henry, Tua Tagovailoa, DeVonta Smith, and Bryce Young. Imagine an 18-year-old already living his dream life when most people don’t even know about their life’s goal. With the growing spotlight, let’s wait and see how this season turns out for him.