After vaulting into Alabama football superstar status with his game-winning catch against Georgia, Ryan Williams has been a little bit quieter. After that six-catch, 177-yard effort to take down the Bulldogs, the freshman from Saraland went for 82 yards on three catches against Vanderbilt, then four grabs for 32 yards Saturday against South Carolina.

On Monday, Crimson Tide head coach Kalen DeBoer said there were times he would have liked to see the youngster get the ball against the Gamecocks.

“There was a couple more where it didn’t get to him or get completed,” DeBoer said. “Ones where we were really trying to be intentional, whether it’s a screen or just a matchup one-on-one. There was another one or two where the ball in a progression very well could have got to him. Just like the other plays that he’s had throughout the season where he might not be the No. 1 option, but the progression will a lot of times take you there.”

In total, Williams has caught 23 passes for 576 yards so far. He’s scored six touchdowns for the Crimson Tide.

Against a Tennessee team with the potential to run up points quickly, Alabama’s offense will need to be operating at full power. According to DeBoer, that would ideally mean more touches for Williams.

“He’s gotta be a guy that we’re always really paying attention to as far as the number of targets,” DeBoer said. “I think, for the most part, we understand who those guys (are). A lot of them are in the starting lineup and maybe just the next guys in that you have to be really making sure in the game plan that they’re involved. And so that will always be the case. We’ve gotta continue to emphasize that. It’s something we always look at each and every week as we lay out the whole plan.”

Alabama’s receiver group has been a bit thin lately. Kendrick Law dressed but didn’t play against South Carolina after missing the Vanderbilt game with a lower-body injury, while Kobe Prentice was out against the Gamecocks with a head injury.

Continued absences could make for more opportunities for Williams. On Monday, offensive coordinator Nick Sheridan praised the depth of the group.

“You’ve seen Caleb Odom just continuing to grow and learn multiple spots, playing different positions on the field,” Sheridan said. Cole (Adams) obviously had some big plays in the game. And so, with just the rotation of players that are up this week, obviously Ryan and (Germie Bernard) have been steady and productive for us, but I think the depth of that room has certainly helped us. E-man (Emmanuel Henderson) has had some good moments.

“I know there’s other guys too that I’m probably leaving out, but I think it’s a deep room and they’re improving each and every week, and coach (JaMarcus Shephard) is doing a great job of mentoring, molding, coaching, all of the above. And I think those guys have contributed and coached us for sure.”

Alabama and Tennessee are scheduled to kick off at 2:45 p.m. CT Saturday at Neyland Stadium. The game will be aired on ABC.