Ryan Williams began his night against Georgia in a way few would want to repeat: with a drop that would have otherwise been a touchdown. This unfortunate start mirrored how the Wisconsin game had ended, highlighting a growing concern for Williams and the Alabama offense.

Williams continues to let passes from quarterback Ty Simpson hit the ground in critical moments—a trend that did not go unnoticed. ESPN play-by-play announcer Chris Fowler emphasized the issue during the broadcast, noting that it has become a recurring story this season.

“The drops against Florida State were crucial,” Fowler said. “He had him over the middle, maybe feeling footsteps there, then he dropped the touchdown late against Wisconsin when the team had a comfortable lead. And then this play just happened tonight.”

These problems trace back to the Florida State game, where Williams struggled with drops even before leaving due to a concussion. Notably, some of these drops occurred in moments when no defenders were nearby, raising questions about focus and execution.

College football analyst Kirk Herbstreit weighed in on the situation, pondering whether the pressures of the NIL (Name, Image, and Likeness) era might be affecting Williams. As one of the biggest stars in college football both on and off the field, expectations for the true sophomore are incredibly high.

“And everyone, at this point, knows how old Williams is,” Herbstreit said. “The only thing you can say is obviously he is more than capable of making all those catches. You just wonder, in this new era that we’re in with NIL and the expectations that come along with that, if sometimes these guys overthink and put so much pressure on themselves.”

Prior to Saturday’s game, Williams entered with 10 catches for 195 yards and two touchdowns on the season. Most of his production came in the memorable game against Wisconsin in Tuscaloosa, where he caught five passes for 165 yards and both of his touchdowns. As the season progresses, Alabama and its fans will be looking for Williams to regain his usual sharpness and reliability as a key offensive weapon.
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