AJ McCarron shreds Alabama WR Ryan Williams for Week 1 performance
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Former Alabama quarterback AJ McCarron spared no feelings when breaking down the play of sophomore receiver Ryan Williams in last weekend’s loss to Florida State.
Williams posted 5 receptions on 11 targets for 30 yards in the 31-17 loss to the Seminoles. It was his seventh consecutive game with fewer than 60 receiving yards. Pro Football Focus gave him a receiving grade of 49.6 for the effort — the worst of any FBS receiver with at least 10 targets through Week 1.
On a reaction show for The Bama Standard, McCarron questioned Williams’ work ethic.
“That’s some of the worst route-running I’ve ever seen in my life. Ever. He was non-existent in this game,” McCarron said. “He plays way too high, he doesn’t look any bigger, he doesn’t look any stronger, he doesn’t look any faster. He runs way too high for a slot receiver.
“He was getting gloved in this game.”
McCarron also called out Williams on another podcast this week for a lack of passion on the sideline during the game.
As a freshman last fall, Williams burst onto the scene with a 177-yard performance in the win over Georgia. He ended the season with a team-best 865 yards and 8 scores.
Williams has often been compared to Ohio State’s outstanding Jeremiah Smith, who produced 1,315 yards and 15 scores as a true freshman for the national champion Buckeyes last season. During the 2024 regular season, debates raged about which first-year wideout was better.
McCarron hinted at that comparison in his critique of Williams, urging the wideout to get to work.
“He needs to step up. All this hype and everything? Guess what? You’re not getting drafted off 1 year. You’re not Jeremiah Smith, brother. Jeremiah Smith could have come out last year, been the first pick overall. You’re not at that level,” McCarron said. “So, step up, make plays, get open. You’re jogging way too many routes. Somebody needs to challenge him.”
Williams has had a tough start to the season. He was knocked out of the game in the fourth quarter with what was later announced to be a concussion. Williams has been in concussion protocol since, with coach Kalen DeBoer saying during the SEC coaches teleconference on Wednesday that Williams is considered day-to-day.
Derek Peterson does a bit of everything, not unlike Taysom Hill. He has covered Oklahoma, Nebraska, the Pac-12, and now delivers CFB-wide content.
