Connect with us

Sports

Is Alabama Standout Ryan Coleman-Williams Dealing With A Case Of ‘The Yips?’

Published

on

NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles!

Alabama wide receiver Ryan Coleman-Williams — Ryan Williams at the time — put together a freshman season that made college football fans believe he had the goods to be the next great Crimson Tide pass-catcher.

Coleman-Williams kicked off his college career with a bang, hauling in two catches for 139 yards — both of which went for touchdowns — in Alabama’s 2024 season-opening win over Western Kentucky. At just 17 years old, one of the youngest players in FBS football, he appeared to be heading for superstardom.

The 6-foot, 184-pound wideout put together massive outings against the likes of Vanderbilt, Georgia and Tennessee, concluding his true freshman season with 48 catches for 865 yards and 10 total touchdowns. He earned first-team All-SEC and second-team All-American honors while also being named a freshman All-American.

Advertisement
Alabama wide receiver Ryan Coleman-Williams had two costly drops in the first half of the team's season-opener. (Photo by Butch Dill/Getty Images)

Alabama wide receiver Ryan Coleman-Williams had two costly drops in the first half of the team’s season-opener. (Photo by Butch Dill/Getty Images)

Last year, though, was another story. Coleman-Williams failed to take the next step many expected him to take, despite playing with an elite-level quarterback in Ty Simpson, who went on to be selected in the first round of the 2026 NFL Draft by the Los Angeles Rams.

Now, with sophomore Keelon Russell under center and another offseason under his belt, this is supposed to be the year Coleman-Williams takes his game to another level.

But early indications show Coleman-Williams still has a few things to work out before he’s ready to reach that superstar level.

In Alabama’s Week 1 opener, Coleman-Williams had a pair of inexplicable drops, leaving fans to wonder: Is the junior wideout dealing with a case of the “yips?”

Advertisement

The first drop came midway through the opening quarter when Russell found Coleman-Williams wide open down the seam. The junior leaped for the catch, but the ball fell right through his hands.

“That’s the bugaboo from last season,” the broadcast crew said following the unexplainable drop.

Later in the half, as Alabama was driving down the field, Coleman-Williams ran a fade-stop route and Russell found him open in the end zone. Yet again, though, the ball went right through his hands.

Coleman-Williams did make up for it, finishing the opening half with four catches for 100 yards.

Advertisement

For Coleman-Williams, the drops were impossible to ignore, particularly given the expectations surrounding him entering his junior season, but his four catches for 100 yards in the first half also offered a reminder of the playmaking ability that made him such a highly touted prospect when he arrived in Tuscaloosa.

One game isn’t everything, but if the Crimson Tide are going to make a run at a national title this season, they’ll need their star wideout to turn those flashes of brilliance into consistency.

Source link

Advertisement
Continue Reading
Click to comment

You must be logged in to post a comment Login

Leave a Reply

Sports

We are going to witness beautiful football

Published

on

Fans are ecstatic to see summer arrival Rodri starting for Barcelona in the La Liga game at Valencia on Sunday (September 6). The 2024 Ballon d’Or winner arrived at the Camp Nou from Manchester City in a deal reportedly worth £65 million.

Rodri, 30, made his Barca debut in a 2-0 home win over Athletic Club last month, coming on for the final 27 minutes. He also featured in the 5-2 home victory over Rayo Vallecano, playing 26 minutes.

Having led Spain to their second FIFA World Cup title in North America in the summer, Rodri is now set to make his first start for the Blaugrana, thrilling fans, who shared their reactions:

Advertisement

“We are going to witness Beautiful football 💙❤️🔥🔥,” one tweeted.

“FC RODRI’S FIRST START 😮‍💨🔥 New chapter begins today. Time to show us what that midfield is made of 🔵🔴⚡️,” another commented.

“Finalllyyyy Now we’ll see how greatly we control the tempo of the game with our midfield 🫡,” one posted.

“Rodri gets in!! 😝. The midfield should be commanding with his presence, hopefully he has fully regained match fitness,” another posted.

Hansi Flick’s side are atop the standings after winning their opening three games and will go three points clear at the top if they win at the Mestalla.


“He’s a fantastic player” – Barcelona boss Hansi Flick hails Rodri

FC Barcelona v Rayo Vallecano de Madrid - LaLiga EA Sports 2026/27 - Source: GettyFC Barcelona v Rayo Vallecano de Madrid - LaLiga EA Sports 2026/27 - Source: Getty
FC Barcelona v Rayo Vallecano de Madrid – LaLiga EA Sports 2026/27 – Source: Getty

Barcelona head coach Hansi Flick hailed new signing Rodri after the club announced his arrival from Manchester City last month. The Spaniard had spent the seven previous seasons at the Etihad.

Rodri, 30, is now set for a new stint with the Blaugrana as he looks to help the reigning La Liga champions continue their domestic success and win their first UEFA Champions League title in more than a decade.

“He’s a fantastic player who brings something special to every team, and for me it’s brilliant to have him here,” Flick said (as per GOAL).

“I think he might be the best number 6. He can control the game, but he also helps out in defence. He can win aerial duels, which is very important for us, and of course he raises the standard of every player.”

Following their La Liga game at Valencia on Sunday, Barcelona open their UEFA Champions League campaign at home to Feyenoord three days later.