The 2025 Iron Bowl was almost a complete nightmare for the Alabama Crimson Tide. Had they lost, the SEC title game and CFP hopes would've been out the door. Unfortunately, Cam Coleman fumbled the football away during the final drive, and the Auburn Tigers caught their sixth straight Iron Bowl loss in the 27-20 heartbreaker under the lights at Jordan-Hare Stadium this past November.
Alabama avoided catastrophe. Crimson Tide receiver Ryan Williams did not. In 37 snaps, Williams did not record a single statistic. Not a catch, nor a carry, nor even a target. Williams was a complete non-factor. He followed that up with one reception for 5 yards in a CFP win against the Oklahoma Sooners and six receptions for 53 yards in a 38-3 Rose Bowl loss to the Indiana Hoosiers.
For the aforementioned reasons, ESPN's Andrea Adelson believes Williams is the non-QB with the most to prove in 2026. Adelson also acknowledged the 2025 Iron Bowl as Williams' low point so far through two seasons in Tuscaloosa.
"Williams went from freshman phenom in 2024 to nonfactor in 2025, so there is little doubt this season is setting up to be a critical year for him and the Crimson Tide. Williams had half as many touchdown catches this past season as his first year, and his yards per catch dipped 4 yards as he dealt with multiple injuries. Suddenly one of the most explosive players in the country looked a step slow and unsure of himself. Perhaps the lowest point was getting zero targets against rival Auburn. Headed into the CFP quarterfinals against Indiana, Williams had just four catches for 63 yards combined in his four previous games," Adelson.
Ryan Williams would be better off on Auburn right now
In T-Town, Williams has either Austin Mack or Keelon Russell throwing him the ball in 2026. Had he made the "Freeze Four" a "Freeze Five" like it was planned to be, he'd almost certainly be better off right now.
Is Hugh Freeze's team better with a YAC specialist like Williams? He could've brought life to checkdowns in East Central Alabama with Payton Thorne or Jackson Arnold. Of course, if Auburn is better over the past two seasons, there's no Byrum Brown or Alex Golesh, who may elevate the Tigers' ceiling higher than anyone else in the equation.
It's still hard not to wonder "what if" about the former Saraland star choosing Auburn instead of Alabama. Oh well. Either way, his lowest point came at Jordan-Hare Stadium. Go figure.