Ryan Williams impressed his Alabama football teammates from Day 1. Quite literally.

JaMarcus Shephard, the Crimson Tide co-offensive coordinator/receivers coach, told the story Wednesday.

“When Ryan first got here and had one of his first practices, he went out there and really had a great day,” Shephard said. “The veterans here, as soon as I walked out onto the field, they said, ’Hey get the ball to No. 2.’”

It‘s notable when veterans want a 17-year-old freshman to get the ball. It certainly stood out to Shephard back in August. But it’s not a complete anomaly.

“That‘s the thing about here at the University of Alabama: They recognize who is playing at a high level,” Shephard said. “They expect each person, whoever is in there, to play at a high level. They don‘t care who is doing the work. They just want the work to be done. I don‘t really care who pays my bills. I just want my bills paid. That‘s what our guys want. They want the ball caught on Saturday. They don’t care who catches it.”

The veterans were right to want Williams to be the one catching the ball. He quickly became Alabama’s top receiver this season. Thus far, Williams has brought in 35 receptions for 702 yards and seven touchdowns.

Now he and No. 11 Alabama will face No. 15 LSU on Saturday (6:30 p.m. CT, ABC) at Tiger Stadium in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. The winner will keep its playoff hopes alive. The loser will all but be eliminated from CFP contention.

Nick Kelly is an Alabama beat writer for AL.com and the Alabama Media Group. Follow him on X and Instagram.