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Alabama WR coach says Ryan Williams ‘did not whiff on block’ on decisive play against Tennessee
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Alabama wide receivers coach JaMarcus Shephard came to his star player’s defense on Wednesday. After Alabama’s loss to Tennessee in Week 9, some pointed out that Ryan Williams appeared to whiff on a block on a critical play late in the game.
Former Alabama quarterback Greg McElroy was on the call for the game and pointed this out on the broadcast.
“This is just a critical error by the freshman Ryan Williams,” McElroy said at the time. “He’s got to go block. And if he blocks, and gets a piece of that guy, Justice Haynes can bust to the outside and potentially pick it up.”
However, Shephard said on Thursday that it’s “absolutely incorrect” that Williams missed the block.
“Ryan Williams didn’t whiff on a block,” Shephard said Wednesday. “That is absolutely incorrect. He did not whiff on a block on a play. That should be not be the narrative any longer. That did not happen on that play.”
Shephard did not elaborate further, and it’s unclear who missed the block instead.
To be fair, it did appear that Williams missed the block. It was a 4th-and-22, and Alabama RB Justice Haynes gained just 13 yards. As the ball was snapped, Williams ran downfield instead of blocking Tennessee defensive back Rickey Gibson III, who ended up making the tackle.
Still, it’s not surprising to see a coach stand up for his player. After all, Williams is still just 17 years old. The Tide will look to get back on track in Week 9 against Missouri.
ABC commentator Greg McElroy said Ryan Williams made a "critical error" by missing a block on the 4th-and-22 play, but Alabama WRs coach JaMarcus Shephard said that's "absolutely incorrect"https://t.co/mwtqn2DWWp
— Mike Rodak (@mikerodak) October 23, 2024
Bryce Lazenby covers college football for Saturday Down South. A Nashville native, his previous stops include FanSided, Dimers, and The Leaf-Chronicle.
