Damien Harris says Ryan Williams taking next step is vital to Alabama returning to ‘promising years’

Former Alabama running back, Damien Harris has a challenge for sophomore superstar wide receiver. Ryan Williams.

This challenge doesn’t include recording any lofty receiving stats or winning any offensive awards. Harris wants to see Williams develop more from a leadership standpoint inside the Crimson Tide’s locker room.

“Something for me that I wanna see from Ryan Williams in terms of improvement is leadership,” Harris said Tuesday on CBS Sports College Football. “This is a kid, who’s got an infectious personality. He’s got a bright smile. We all know how talented he is. He’s a very very nice, respectful kid. When I got to talk to him he was full of manners, spoke very well, but I wanna see him take that leadership role to the next level. Like, we see what you can, we see what your talent can provide. We see how people can kind of gravitate towards you, now start to be a voice in the locker room. Be the first guy in the line in every drill. Be the first guy on the field, last guy off the field. Be the voice in the locker room because you have played at a high level that the guys around you need to step up to if Alabama is gonna return to the promising years.”

Williams has already taken over as the new face of Alabama football in terms of notable popularity after putting together an impressive true freshman campaign in 2024. His next step now will be the challenge of stepping up in the leadership department of the Crimson Tide’s football program.