Not long after practice opened for reporters to start viewing, Ryan Williams made an impressive catch.
Williams, the freshman from Saraland, made a one-handed grab over the shoulder.
It wasn’t in a team drill, and it wasn’t in a setting with high stakes. He made the catch in just an individual receiver drill. But it was a one-handed catch nonetheless.
Williams, who’s supposed to be a high school senior in the fall, wasn’t with Alabama football during the spring. So Wednesday’s practice, the first of fall camp, provided the first glimpse of Williams in an Alabama uniform, albeit a practice one.
There wasn’t much of a chance to watch him; reporters got to see only four periods of practice. Most of that time included individual drills and light passing drills. The time allowed for a chance to see Williams run a few routes and catch a few passes, though.
It’s clear he’s athletic, even among guys who play the same position. Williams looked fairly fluid in his route running.
Toward the end of the viewing period, Williams could be seen running along the sidelines and making a full-extension grab for a pass that was a little high. It wasn’t a full speed drill against defensive backs, but Williams made a solid grab on the throw. He didn’t catch every pass, but he had a few impressive snags.
How Williams progresses over the course of preseason practices remains to be seen, but it was easy to see why many are eager to see what he can do in 2024 and in the future.
Another young receiver to watch
Williams isn’t the only young guy to watch in the preseason and into the fall.
Freshman Caleb Odom stood out almost immediately.
Much of that has to do with the fact he’s a big receiver; he is listed at 6-5, 215. But he looks like a man among boys when he stands around the receivers.
He’s not just big, though. He’s athletic and uses his length to make plays. Toward the end of the viewing period, Odom made a leaping catch along the sideline. He frequently deployed his long arms to help make plays.
Odom also moves well for a big receiver. If he can develop and learn the smaller parts of the game, Odom could be a heck of a weapon for Alabama quarterbacks and a mismatch nightmare for defenses to cover.
Nick Kelly is an Alabama beat writer for AL.com and the Alabama Media Group. Follow him on X, the social media app formerly known as Twitter.
