Ryan Williams Named Finalist for Shaun Alexander Award

Tuscaloosa, AL - Alabama's freshman phenom of a wide receiver has already made a name for himself in Tuscaloosa and is generating buzz from national media as an early favorite to be a first-round pick in the 2027 NFL draft. But first, Williams has to play two more seasons of football at Alabama.

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Williams is already on the national stage and has generated buzz for multiple awards. He has a chance to add to his trophy case early, as he was named a finalist for the Shaun Alexander Freshman of the Year Award on Wednesday.

Williams is joined by four other freshmen. The full list of finalists includes:

Ryan Williams, WR - Alabama
Koi Perich, S - Minnesota
Jeremiah Smith, WR - Ohio State
Dylan Stewart, EDGE - South Carolina
Collin Simmons, EDGE - Texas

Williams would not be the first Alabama player to win the award. Will Anderson won the award in 2020, and Caleb Downs won it in 2023. Current Alabama center Parker Brailsford was also a finalist for the award last season when he started 13 games for the Washington Huskies.

Ryan "Hollywood" Williams hauled in 45 catches for 857 yards and eight touchdowns. he ended the season with 905 total yards and 10 total touchdowns. Williams led the Crimson Tide in receiving yards and receiving touchdowns this season as a 17-year-old true freshman. He reclassified from the 2025 recruiting class to the 2024 recruiting class before signing with the Crimson Tide in February 2024 and enrolling over the summer.