Alabama Crimson Tide wide receiver Ryan Williams made a significant impact on the college football scene in 2024, quickly establishing himself as one of the top pass catchers in the sport.
Fresh off his freshman year with the Crimson Tide, Williams took on the role of the team’s No. 1 wide receiver at just 17 years old, after reclassifying to the 2024 recruiting class.
In addition to his on-field success, Williams also shared some exciting news regarding a business venture with Alabama freshman defensive back Jaylen Mbakwe.
Williams is the host of a podcast called the “New Wave Show,” which debuted in early fall 2024.
He proudly announced that the “New Wave Show” has risen to become the No. 1 player-led podcast in college football, attracting over 50,000 listeners across 12 episodes.
The podcast first launched on September 2, 2024.
Produced by Alabama’s football creative team, the show features episodes with various players from the Crimson Tide, including Tyler Booker, Jalen Milroe, Germie Bernard, Malachi Moore, and Keon Sabb.
The podcast highlights two of Alabama’s brightest young stars. Both Williams and Mbakwe, who were five-star recruits when they committed to the Crimson Tide, made immediate contributions to the team.
Williams tallied 865 yards and eight touchdowns on 48 receptions. Meanwhile, Mbakwe finished his freshman year with one interception, two pass deflections, and 15 tackles.
More news….
Ty Simpson on Alabama QB Austin Mack: “He’s going to be a very good player”
Austin Mack means more to Ty Simpson than just a teammate in Alabama’s quarterback room. With the 2025 spring practice approaching, Simpson shared that he and Mack have become close since their time together in Tuscaloosa.
“Austin’s one of my best friends on the team,” Simpson told the Tuscaloosa News.
Simpson mentioned that he served as Mack’s recruiting host when the former Washington quarterback was in the transfer portal last year. Mack eventually followed Huskies coach Kalen DeBoer to Alabama as his first transfer.
Since then, Simpson said the two have been exchanging ideas.
“Just, how does he see this? And how do I see that?” Simpson said. “And how did Michael Penix see it, because he was in the same room as him.”
Although Mack had limited playing time in his first season with Alabama, he appeared for five snaps in the Crimson Tide’s 52-7 victory over Mercer on Nov. 16. He completed two out of three pass attempts for 39 yards, including a 31-yard touchdown to Rico Scott Jr.
Mack was ranked the No. 230 overall player and the No. 16 quarterback in the 2023 recruiting class, according to 247Sports’ composite rankings.
The 6-foot-6, 236-pound Loomis, California native graduated early after accumulating 3,498 passing yards, 40 touchdowns, and five interceptions during his 2022 season at Folsom High School.
Mack and Simpson will soon be joined by 2025 five-star quarterback Keelon Russell.
Despite Mack’s limited action last season, Simpson believes the incoming third-year quarterback has significant potential.
“Austin is very smart,” Simpson said. “He’s going to be a very good player, and I’m super excited to see his growth as well.”
