Joel Klatt Sends Strong Ryan Williams, Jeremiah Smith Message

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Grant Bricker | Last updated Jul 29, 2025 6:26 PM ET

Alabama Crimson Tide and Ohio State receivers Ryan Williams and Jeremiah Smith took the college football world by storm in 2024.

Williams posted 865 receiving yards and eight touchdowns, while Smith led Ohio State with 1,315 receiving yards and 15 touchdowns. The former five-star recruits achieved these feats as true freshmen.

On a recent edition of "The Joel Klatt Show," Joel Klatt released his college football player rankings, with Williams at No. 5 and Smith at No. 1.

Klatt stated that the young receivers were as good a duo as he had ever seen in the sport of college football.

"He's sure-handed," Klatt said. "He's electric. Man, he's one of my favorite players to watch. These young wide receivers are better than they've ever been. He, Jeremiah Smith, as a good combination of wide receivers that I've ever seen."

Williams had his moment against the Georgia Bulldogs last season, recording 177 receiving yards and one touchdown. He finished with over 100 receiving yards twice in 2024, with the first coming in the season opener versus Western Kentucky.

Alabama is still pursuing top talent in recruiting, as five-star running back Kamon Spell scheduled an unofficial visit with the Crimson Tide for October 18. He has been committed to the Penn State Nittany Lions since August of last year.

Unfortunately for Williams, he did not get the chance to play for legendary head coach Nick Saban, who retired after the 2023 season. However, Saban's name has been floating this offseason amid rumors of a return to coaching.

Saban joked that when Miss Terry asked him to vacuum downstairs, he reconsidered his retirement.

Although Saban is no longer there, it appears that Alabama is in good hands with a player like Williams at its disposal.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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