Alabama WR Jameson Williams suffered torn ACL

One of the top projected wideouts in the 2022 draft will likely be sidelined for his entire rookie season. ESPN’s Adam Schefter reports (via Twitter) that Alabama wide receiver Jameson Williams tore his ACL during Monday night’s championship game.

While the injury will surely delay Williams’ NFL career, there is some good news. Doctors believe that the receiver should make a full recovery, and he should return to his sub 4.3-second speed, per Schefter. Alabama’s receiving corps took a hit earlier this season when John Metchie III tore his ACL in early December.

Williams spent two years buried on Ohio State’s depth chart, but he had a breakout campaign with Alabama in 2021. The receiver finished the season with 79 receptions for 1,572 yards and 15 touchdowns. The prospect also returned 10 kicks for 352 yards and two touchdowns. The performance earned Williams a first-team All-American nod and first-team All-SEC honors.

The 6-foot-2, 189-receiver didn’t only rank as one of the top receiver prospects in the draft … he was one of the top overall prospects, period. In their recent rankings of the top draft prospects, ESPN’s Mel Kiper and Todd McShay both had Williams among their top 15 players, with Kiper ranking the Alabama product behind USC’s Drake London and McShay having Williams behind London, Ohio State’s Garrett Wilson, and Penn State’s Jahan Dotson. Meanwhile, Pro Football Focus’ Michael Renner had Williams going 13th to the Browns in his recent mock draft.