By Mark Pszonak
With today’s news that Alabama wide receiver Ryan Williams and Ohio State wide receiver Jeremiah Smith would be gracing the cover of this year’s edition of EA Sports College Football 26, it is a good time to ask if Williams is as good as Smith.
Smith’s already lofty stock soared to an entirely different level in the playoffs during Ohio State’s run to their National Championship. After a monumental regular season for a true freshman, he totaled 20 receptions for 381 yards and five touchdowns during the four playoff games, as he cemented himself as a national star.
Jeremiah Smith's freshman year was so much fun to watch 🍿
— Big Ten Football (@B1Gfootball) March 27, 2025
Relive the @OhioStateFB star's TDs from his record-breaking regular season 👇#TBT x #B1GFootball pic.twitter.com/e2kTyjlOcu
As for Williams, he didn’t have the same opportunity since Alabama missed out on the playoffs. So, by the time Smith was dazzling the nation on television, Williams’ season was over. But if you look at the overall picture, is Williams as talented as Smith?
The answer is no, but that is far from a knock on Williams, since Smith is a generational talent. At 6-foot-3 and 215-pounds, Smith possesses a unique combination of speed, athleticism, size and technique that puts him in a different category.
Williams, 6-foot-0 and 175-pounds, is a very talented receiver who more than proved that during the 2024 season. However, there was a regression during the second half. After totaling 31 receptions for 649 yards and six touchdowns during the first seven games, he had 17 receptions for 216 yards and two touchdowns during the final six games. While this is something that needs to improve, the Alabama offensive coaching staff should be criticized for not finding more ways to get the ball into his hands.
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ABSOLUTE SCENES IN TUSCALOOSA!!!
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) September 29, 2024
RYAN WILLIAMS WITH A 75-YARD TD TO RETAKE THE LEAD! pic.twitter.com/pvc9ML7E7G
During the 2025 season, both wide receivers will be working with new quarterbacks, which immediately adds a level of uncertainty to their future production. It is unlikely that either will have a drastic reduction, but there may be some growing pains while the new wide receiver/quarterback duos gain some comfort and familiarity against opposing defenses.
Both Smith and Williams are very impressive wide receivers who have an extremely bright future ahead of them in college and then in the NFL. However, Smith is the one who has the skillset to become elite.
