Alabama receives massive news on WR Ryan Williams hours before LSU game

The No. 4 Alabama Crimson Tide (7-1) have completely turned things around since their Week 1 loss to the Florida State Seminoles, putting themselves in position to control their own destiny for a College Football Playoff berth — and potentially a spot in the SEC Championship Game.

However, the stakes continue to rise with each passing week. On Saturday night in Tuscaloosa, Alabama will host the LSU Tigers (5-3) in a primetime showdown — LSU’s first game since firing head coach Brian Kelly.

The Crimson Tide enter as 10.5-point favorites, according to DraftKings Sportsbook, but they’ll be facing a team with nothing to lose, while Alabama carries all the pressure to perform — a combination that can sometimes produce unpredictable results.

Just hours before kickoff, Alabama head coach Kalen DeBoer and his team received some major news regarding star wide receiver Ryan Williams. After missing several games due to a leg injury, Williams has reportedly progressed well and is expected to play against LSU, per On3’s Pete Nakos.

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So far in 2025, Williams has appeared in seven games for Alabama during his sophomore season, recording 33 receptions for 495 yards and three touchdowns while averaging 70.7 yards per game.

Although he’s remained a highly talented receiver, Williams hasn’t quite lived up to the lofty expectations set for him after his standout freshman season. Many anticipated he would take the next step and emerge as one of the nation’s premier wideouts — right alongside Ohio State’s Jeremiah Smith.

Nonetheless, Williams’ presence on the field alone forces LSU’s defense to account for him at all times due to his big-play ability. In his last appearance against South Carolina, he hauled in seven receptions for 72 yards.

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