Star Alabama WR Ryan Williams has been working hard this offseason ahead of his sophomore season. As a 17 year old freshman last year, Williams was a revalation for the Crimson Tide offense and instantly became a star across the sport.
Williams was recently revealed as one of the two cover athletes for the new EA Sports College Football 26 video game as a result of his outstanding first season in Tuscaloosa. Williams caught 48 passes for 865 yards and eight touchdowns in 2024. He added two more touchdowns on the ground.
Williams took a break from his early summer workouts to sit down with Super Bowl winning head coach Jon Gruden, now of Barstool Sports. Williams was joined by new Alabama WR - and Miami transfer - Isaiah Horton.
One of the best moments of the sit down came right away. Gruden - whose wife is a Tennessee graduate and has been linked to the Vols head coaching job numerous times in the past - immediately made his disdain for Alabama known.
Gruden said he hated Alabama, a statement that shocked Williams. Williams then reminded Gruden - and sent a warning to Tennessee - that the Vols have to come to Tuscaloosa this season. You can see the back and forth below:
Jon Gruden: “I hate Alabama, I’m a Tennessee Vol”
— zach ragan (@zachTNT) May 31, 2025
Ryan Williams: “Y’all come to us this year, just remember that” pic.twitter.com/cdGbr3rRp5
Tennessee will be one of three Alabama "revenge" games in 2025
You can bet the Tennessee game is one circled on the calendar for Williams and his Alabama teammates. The Crimson Tide really had no business losing in Knoxville a year ago. It was just the second Alabama loss in the Third Saturday in October rivalry since 2006.
Alabama blew many opportunities, and were let down by a rough game from QB Jalen Milroe. Williams caught eight passes for 73 yards and a touchdown, but also lost a jump ball in the endzone to a Tennessee DB that was intercepted. That was a huge turning point in a game that the Vols ultimately won by seven.
Kalen DeBoer and Alabama have a lot of momentum heading into 2025. Along with Tennessee, they'll look to avenge disappointing losses to Vanderbilt and Oklahoma. All three of those teams have to come to Bryant-Denny this year.
But Alabama has bigger goals that just avenging its three regular season losses from a year ago. This team is not just good enough to make the College Football Playoff; it's good enough to win the National Championship.