It was a running joke that had to expire at some point: time waits for no man or freshman phenom wide receiver.
Last year, the youngest player in college football stormed onto the scene and instantly became one of the best playmakers in an inconsistent Alabama wide receiving corps with his agility, acrobatic leaping catches, and world class afterburners in the open field.
The true freshman grabbed the second-most catches (48), saw the most targets (89), led the WR corps in yards, yards per catch, and yards per game. He led the team in yards per touch. And, for good measure, notched over 900 yards from scrimmage and picked up 10 touchdowns.
And he’s only going to get better.
Not the most polished player, no. Certainly not the most physical. But with his ebullient off-field personality and electrifying on-field talent, Ryan Williams spent an entire season as both appointment viewing and the subject of “he’s only 17” memes.
Alas, all good things do come to an end. Today, Williams is officially all grown up and turns 18.
He’s only 18…but at least he’s ours for two more years.
Happy birthday, Hollywood.
