RB Roydell Williams Seizing His Opportunity for Alabama Offense

Heading into the season, Alabama head coach Nick Saban talked about the running backs as one of the position groups he had the most confidence in.

But through Alabama's first two-and-a-half games, things weren't looking too well for that group, particularly senior running back Roydell Williams. At halftime of the Crimson Tide's game against USF, Williams had 5 carries for 5 yards. Dating back to the season opener, he was averaging less than 3 yards per carry on the season.

However, things changed in the second half for Williams and the Crimson Tide. He scored Alabama's first touchdown of the game and his first of the season in the third quarter.

The senior finished with a career high 129 yards on 17 carries, including a big 48-yard burst in the fourth quarter that set up Alabama's final touchdown in the 17-3 victory. 

"Roydell played a great second half," Saban said Monday. "He had over 100 yards rushing in the second half. We were very pleased. We've always had a lot of confidence in Roydell, so him and Jase [McClellan] both have been very productive so far this year.”

With Alabama trying out different options at quarterback during the game with Tyler Buchner and Ty Simpson, it became more reliant on the running game Williams and McClellan could provide, especially when trying to burn clock in a close game. 

Alabama got the ball back with 6:29 left on the clock in the fourth quarter and a seven-point lead. Saban told the offense to not give the ball back. Williams was responsible for 74 of Alabama's 80 yards on the touchdown drive that put the game away for the Crimson Tide. 

"It was a blessing," Williams said. "The opportunity came, and I had the mentality to just go out and do what I had to do. It was 10-3 at the time, and the mindset was just go out and win, milk the clock. Do what you have to do to win the game.”

Throughout his career, Williams has had to wait his turn behind running backs like Najee Harris, Brian Robinson, Trey Sanders, Jahmyr Gibbs and has mainly been the No. 2 back behind McClellan this season. Alabama wide receiver Jermaine Burton said Williams' performance Saturday was representative of the way he practices. 

"To see it translate into a game is amazing," Burton said. "I just really want him to keep up what he's been doing. He's a great leader. He's an energy, he’s a light bulb in the locker room. And I'm proud of him.”

With No. 13 Alabama (2-1) going against No. 15 Ole Miss (3-0) this weekend and Lane Kiffin's high-flying, fast-paced offense, the role of the running backs will once again be important for the Crimson Tide. As Alabama turns to Jalen Milroe as the starter at quarterback, the run game and passing game become intertwined for overall offensive success to match the pace of Kiffin. 

"Winning is most important for us that we do our jobs the right way," Williams said about the offense's mindset heading into the matchup. "We're a great team. And that's what we emphasize the most, being balanced and being able to execute on everything that we need to."