How Ryan Williams has responded to limited Iron Bowl role

Kalen DeBoer insists that there’s nothing to read into concerning Ryan Williams’ limited role in the Iron Bowl. Williams wasn’t targeted during Alabama’s 27-20 win at Auburn over the weekend, prompting DeBoer to state that the Crimson Tide must be more intentional in getting its sophomore playmaker the ball. 

Williams started the Iron Bowl and saw the field for 38 offensive snaps. That was third-most among Alabama receivers, behind Germie Bernard (70), Isaiah Horton (53) and Lotzier Brooks (39). While Williams has yet to speak to the media since his quiet performance over the weekend, Bernard said the star receiver has remained in positive spirits during practice.  

“He has a great mindset,” Bernard said following Tuesday’s practice. “He knows how important he is to this team, how valuable he is. We just gotta be able to put him in positions to win, and we will. We will. He’s not tripping. He’s the same guy.”

Williams led Alabama with 865 yards and eight touchdowns on 48 receptions during his freshman season last year. Through 11 games this season, he has 40 catches for 598 yards and four touchdowns. 

Williams also failed to record a reception during Alabama’s 27-24 win over Missouri on Oct. 11. After recording five or more catches in six of his first seven games this season, he has tallied just seven combined receptions for 103 yards and a touchdown over his last four games. 

“We’ve got to be intentional because he’s a playmaker for us,” DeBoer said when asked Sunday about Williams’ role in the Iron Bowl. “The ball did find some other guys, and they made plays, as you saw with Isaiah Horton. We want to continue to be intentional. Ryan does a great job for us each and every week, preparing. There’s no difference this week.”

While Williams hasn’t reached his projected production this season, Alabama still ranks 18th nationally, averaging 278.3 yards per game through the air. The Tide has five players with more than 25 receptions and 300 yards apiece, including Williams as well as Bernard (51 receptions, 700 yards), Horton (34 receptions, 418 yards), Brooks (26 receptions, 361 yards) and tight end Josh Cuevas (30 receptions 341 yards). 

“This is a team game, and we know as a receiver, there’s only one ball, but we have to play for our guys,” Bernard said. “We were in a meeting yesterday, and it’s gonna be guys that go crazy one game, and then it’s gonna be another guy. You just have to be excited for your teammates, cheer them on when their time is coming. You just have to know your time is gonna come whenever that does come. You can never be envious or jealous of another guy that’s doing well because at the end of the day, like, that’s my brother. I want to see him succeed.”

Alabama (10-2, 7-1) will face Georgia (11-1, 7-1) at 3 p.m. CT on Saturday for the SEC Championship Game inside Atlanta’s Mercedes-Benz Stadium. The game will be televised on ABC.