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Ryan Williams Reveals Why He Wouldn’t Want to Team Up With Jeremiah Smith

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Dean Koutouratsas | Last updated Jun 2, 2025 8:05 PM ET

Alabama Crimson Tide wide receiver Ryan Williams caught 865 yards and eight touchdowns in his freshman season.

Williams, 18, was a finalist for the Shaun Alexander Award, Biletnikoff semifinalist and FWAA Freshman All-American. He also was named Freshman All-SEC en route to helping the Crimson Tide reach the Reliaquest Bowl, where they lost 19-13 to the Michigan Wolverines.

Meanwhile, Ohio State Buckeyes wide receiver Jeremiah Smith caught 1,315 yards and 15 touchdowns (both conference-best) in his freshman season. Smith, 19, helped the Ryan Day-led Buckeyes win their first national championship since 2014.

He was awarded the Big Ten and Freshman Receiver of the Year award for his efforts. Smith was also named First-Team All-Big Ten and First-Team All-American.

He also was a Biletnikoff semifinalist and the Rose Bowl Offensive MVP for catching two touchdowns during the Buckeyes 42-17 triumph over the Tennessee Volunteers on Dec. 21, 2024. When asked if they should team up at some point, Williams shut down the question.

“That wouldn’t be fair,” he said during an interview with On3. “Everybody that I'm playing against would quit by the end of the first half.”

Williams and Smith were named cover athletes for EA Sports College Football 26, which releases July 10. The tandem of rising sophomores participated in a photo shoot for the new game, where they shared their experiences.

“Whenever we were in Pasadena, we would talk about last season and him winning a national championship,” Williams added. “So we both agreed [that] even though last year was super fun and we both had great freshman seasons, we left a lot on the table.”

He continued, “Just from that experience last season, we’re super excited for what’s to come.”

Williams and the Crimson Tide open their season on Aug. 30 against the Florida State Seminoles at Doak Campbell Stadium. Smith and the Buckeyes play Texas at Ohio Stadium that same day.

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

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