Alabama's Ryan Williams given ultimate compliment by Ohio State star WR Jeremiah Smith

Alabama’s wide receiver Ryan Williams earned an incredible plaudit from Ohio State ’s Jeremiah Smith as the freshman begins the new season spectacularly.

The Crimson Tide went through a summer of change when legendary head coach Nick Saban left after the end of the previous campaign but, under Kalen DeBoer, the team have begun brightly, with Williams an integral part of the early success.

Williams has hauled 544 yards and six touchdowns on 19 receptions, putting up figures that rival the Ohio star. In the Buckeyes’ faultless five game start to the season, Smith has put up 453 yards and six touchdowns on 23 receptions. The breathtaking start to the new season from the two has seen a mutual appreciation grow between the pair.

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Watching Alabama’s week five match-up against Georgia, Smith was left in awe after seeing Williams seal the game-winning touchdown play. The 2023 All-American Bowl Player of the Year paid tribute to Williams, making a bold claim about their status in college football.

“When we got on the bus, they were still playing, so when I got on the bus he made that big catch, I was like ‘woah, yeah, he's different',” Smith said, per CBS Sport. “I just feel like we're the best receivers in the country right now as freshmen.”

Smith added that he and Williams are in contact with each other, supporting their positional colleagues, as he revealed they exchanged text messages following Williams’ brilliant play. “I just told [Williams], keep doing what you're doing,” Smith said.

Williams starred in the 41-34 victory over Georgia last month, catching six passes for 177 yards and a touchdown, including the stunning 75-yard game-winning play with under three minutes left to play to wrap up Alabama’s victory.

The 17-year-old’s success has seen his NIL money increase with him already a member of On3’s NIL top 100 list amongst all college athletes. Williams skipped his senior year at high school to begin earning and following his performance against Georgia, his estimated NIL value has shot from $768,000 to almost $1.5million.

Williams’ figure is only second amongst the team, behind quarterback Jalen Milroe at $2.5m. Early in his college career, Williams has already stunned his team-mates with his ability, with tight end CJ Dippre lauding his ability “like a simulation watching him play. He is great.” Dippre jokingly added: “He can take, if he had problems, he could take my NIL money. I’ll give it to him. He can have all mine."

The former Saraland student also received praise from his coach, DeBoer, for his humbleness and mindset despite an extraordinary beginning to collegiate life. "He's a special player. The most impressive thing, also, with that is how he handles success. He's gonna be back to work and be the same guy Tuesday,” DeBoer said.

"The same guy tomorrow when we show up and do our workouts. That's what I think our team really sees in him. The upperclassmen I know have noticed that from day one."