When Ryan Grubb talks about Ryan Williams, there’s no hesitation - he knows exactly what the young wideout brings to the table when he’s operating at full throttle. Williams is the kind of player who thrives with the ball in his hands, whether it’s on a quick screen, a jet sweep, or a deep post. He’s a versatile weapon, built for space, and when he’s locked in, he’s the kind of player who can tilt the field.
“I feel like, Ryan, when he's playing his best, is in all those positions,” Grubb said.
And heading into a high-stakes College Football Playoff showdown with Oklahoma, Alabama’s offense could use a little more of that dynamic version of Williams.
The Crimson Tide face the Sooners on Friday night in Norman, and if Alabama wants to keep its postseason run alive, getting Williams involved early and often could be a key piece of the puzzle. His recent production has been modest - three catches for 45 yards the last time these two teams met on Nov. 15, followed by a quiet stretch with just one catch for 25 yards against Eastern Illinois and no targets at all in the Iron Bowl against Auburn.
There was a slight bounce back in the SEC Championship Game against Georgia, where Williams caught two passes for 33 yards, but he hasn’t topped three receptions in a game since October. That’s a surprising stat for a player with his skill set - and one Alabama will likely try to change on Friday.
Grubb made it clear: Williams is still central to what the Crimson Tide want to do offensively. His ability to line up all over the field and create matchup problems makes him a valuable chess piece, especially against a defense like Oklahoma’s that thrives on disruption.
“Those are the things that you got to try and paint the picture for the defense of what you want to do and where you are going to get the football,” Grubb said.
Translation: expect Alabama to get creative. Whether it’s motioning Williams into the backfield, using him on crossing routes, or taking a deep shot to stretch the defense, the Tide are going to try to force Oklahoma to account for No. 1 on every snap.
Kickoff is set for 7 p.m. CT Friday in Norman. And if Alabama wants to punch its ticket to the next round, unlocking Ryan Williams might be one of the smartest moves it can make.