Despite having limited college experience, Ohio State's Jeremiah Smith and Alabama's Ryan Williams believe they are the top wide receivers in the nation.
Ohio State's Jeremiah Smith and Alabama's Ryan Williams have emerged as two of the most impressive true freshman wide receivers in college football this season, and they believe they are the best in the country.
Despite having just six weeks of college football experience under their respective belts, Smith and Williams have drawn massive praise and comparisons to one another after breakout starts to the season. Smith has three spectacular one-handed touchdowns to his credit, while Williams made an incredible 75-yard touchdown grab in Alabama's 41-34 upset victory over Georgia.
True Freshman Wideouts Jeremiah Smith and Ryan Williams Believe They're the Best in the Country
Both players were highly-rated five-star recruits coming out of high school. Smith was the consensus top high school recruit in the class of 2024, while Williams was a major recruiting victory for new Alabama head coach Kalen DeBoer after Nick Saban's retirement.
So far, they are living up to the hype.
Smith told CBS Sports this week that after watching Williams' game-winning catch in the Alabama-Georgia matchup after Ohio State's game against Michigan State, he believes they both are sitting atop the receivers throne as the best two in the nation.
"When we got on the bus, they were still playing, so when I got on the bus he made that big catch, I was like 'woah, yeah, he's different'," Smith said. "I just feel like we're the best receivers in the country right now as freshmen."
Smith added that he and Williams had exchanged texts, and he sent a few encouraging words to the fellow first-year wideout after watching his performance, saying, "I just told him, keep doing what you're doing."
This season, Smith has notched 453 receiving yards, six receiving touchdowns, 33 rushing yards and one rushing touchdown. Williams, who is still just 17 years old, has been equally impressive with 544 receiving yards off 19 receptions, six receiving and one rushing touchdown.
The two young receivers have drawn comparisons to former Alabama star Julio Jones, who was also a five-star recruit and went on to become one of the best receivers in NFL history.
Smith and Williams are both dynamic playmakers who can make big plays all over the field. They are both excellent route runners with great hands and leaping ability. They are also both threats to score every time they touch the ball.
It is still early in their college careers, but Smith and Williams have already shown that they have the potential to be special players. If they continue to develop at their current pace, they could be two of the best receivers in the country for years to come.
Alabama is reeling from a stunning upset loss to Vanderbilt last week, but the Crimson Tide will face South Carolina at noon ET on Saturday. Meanwhile, the Buckeyes are 5-0 and next face Oregon in a massive Big Ten clash on Saturday at 7:30 p.m. ET.
