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Ryan Williams and Jeremiah Smith Reveal They Almost Teamed Up at SEC Powerhouse

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Jay Postrado | Last updated May 28, 2025 8:56 AM ET

Ryan Williams and Jeremiah Smith will become the cover athletes for EA Sports College Football 26. The Alabama Crimson Tide weapon and Ohio State Buckeyes route-runner are clearly stars that have shined throughout the past year which is why they were both bestowed this honor. However, they could have been playing for Coach Kirby Smart's Georgia Bulldogs.

Yep, that's right! Ryan Williams and Jeremiah Smith were both on the same recruitment visit to Georgia back when they had not yet decided on their commitments.

The Ohio State star even revealed that he was trying to get the Alabama weapon to commit to Coach Kirby Smart together, via Chris Vannini of The Athletic.

"I tried to get him to team up... We thought about it. We did think about it," Smith disclosed.

Now, both of them have been thriving in both the Alabama and Ohio State systems. Williams popped off for 865 receiving yards on 48 receptions for the Kalen DeBoer-led Crimson Tide.

Smith, on the other hand, had a College Football Playoff National Championship-winning season with the Buckeyes. He was not a slouch on Coach Ryan Day's team too. The Ohio State weapon ended up with 1,315 receiving yards on 76 receptions.

"That would have been crazy. I don't even know how you stop that," Williams said.

Surely, these two would have formed an insanely deadly receiving corps if they did end up joining Georgia. Mixing all of that with the smarts of Coach Smart would probably mean seeing a dynastic reign in the SEC.

For now, they can only be seen against each other on the field or together on the cover of EA Sports College Football 26 on July 10.

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

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