Kalen DeBoer gave Ryan Williams the chance to field a punt and attempt to bring it back for six for Alabama’s special teams with just over 10 minutes left in an eventual 42-10 rout of Wisconsin in Week 3.
The first-year Crimson Tide head coach didn’t commit to doing it again, but he definitely seemed to enjoy what Williams did in that one opportunity.
"In regards to Ryan [Williams], with the injury to Cole Adams, that was one guy taken off of that area in our depth," DeBoer said (h/t Sports Illustrated). "Bak's [Jaylen Mbakwe] been back there doing a good job with his opportunities and we need to continue to build that and getting Ryan one rep out there I thought was good. He did a nice job and looked very comfortable back there. There's some other guys, Germie Bernard can do that as well. He's been working on it, not just this year but in the past.
“We just want to make sure guys continue to get that one rep, feel comfortable and there's always little things that pop up that guys can learn from and there were some learning opportunities, even with Bak, just staying away from the football with one of the punts that was rolling. We've got to do a better job of staying away there. So everything is a new experience, especially for some of these younger guys like Ryan and Bak, but they've done a really nice job so far."
Ryan Williams a major victory for Kalen DeBoer’s first recruiting cycle at Alabama
Keeping Williams from going to Auburn and giving them two of the top four receivers in the 2024 in-state class was a major victory for the Crimson Tide in DeBoer’s first recruiting cycle; one that was left with tender care by Nick Saban in January when the G.O.A.T. head coach of the modern era retired as opposed to Michigan, which was underrecruited from a head coach in Jim Harbaugh who knew he was leaving Ann Arbor.
Williams has been a bright spot for Alabama’s offense. He’s built chemistry with QB Jalen Milroe to the tune of 10 catches, four of them touchdowns, and 285 yards.
And a 20-yard punt return. Which we may or might not see more of this season. DeBoer didn’t make it clear.
