Jameson Williams is another unexpected, electrifying luxury for Alabama

It wasn’t a difficult question when college football fans asked who would replace DeVonta Smith after his departure to the NFL. The natural answer was, of course, John Metchie III. That was easy. Maybe it wasn’t that simple.

Replacing Smith, who won the Heisman Trophy, may be more difficult than just plugging in another player. That’s not a knock on Metchie, who was poised for the position after playing in all 13 games as a true freshman in 2019 then stepping in as the No. 3 receiver last season after Jaylen Waddle was injured.

Metchie responded with 916 yards on 55 catches in 2020. He averaged 16.7-yards per catch, which was 7th-best in the SEC. However, Alabama’s offense needs production from more than just one player. Even with Metchie well supplanted, he’s got some help.

Jameson Williams was largely unknown by SEC fans when he transferred from Ohio State. It didn’t take him long to become well known. If you don’t know him by now, you will. Williams was quickly named a starter after a stellar fall camp. Then, he was the standout in Bama’s season-opening win against Miami. Williams led all Tide receivers with 126 yards on just 4 receptions in that game. That included a 94-yard touchdown pass that tied the second-longest receiving touchdown mark in program history. Plus, it showed off his blazing speed.

That was also present after Week 3. Once again, Williams led Alabama with 61 yards on 4 catches. Meanwhile, Metchie caught 6 passes for 49 yards. It’s looking like The Crimson Tide will turn to two receivers to fill the void left by Smith.

After 3 weeks, Williams leads the Tide in receiving yards (218) and shares the lead with 2 TD receptions.

He’ll very likely surpass his career totals at Ohio State — 15 catches, 266 yards, 3 TDs — in only 4 games at Alabama. Despite being buried on the depth chart at OSU, there were glimpses of what he could do, such as 45-yard TD catch against Clemson, and a 38-yard TD catch earlier in the season.

Williams has continued to make big plays at Bama. Williams is 6th in the SEC in yards per catch with 19.8-yards per reception among receivers with at least 10 catches. Metchie is averaging just over 11 yards per catch.

It’s far too soon to deem either receiver just a deep threat or just a possession receiver. The pair have plenty of time to showcase their wares this season and appear to possess the skill to be all-around threats. Both will have key possession plays. Both will score long touchdowns.

The pair, along with Bama’s other receivers, should be a strong benefit for quarterback Bryce Young and his ability to survey the field. Young has proven he’ll continue to look downfield and stay in the pocket until it completely collapses. The difference in this passing game compared to last year is that it may be a bit more balanced. There’s nothing wrong with that.

Alabama is never short on talent, but it’s easy to wonder if its offense would be nearly as explosive without Williams.

“To me, things were just unclear,” Williams told USA Today after leaving Columbus. “I wasn’t certain of my role in the offense. The receiver room got crowded. I just decided I needed a fresh start. I decidedrrr to enter the portal.”

The receiver room is still crowded in his new home. Alabama isn’t short on wideouts. However, head coach Nick Saban has used the transfer portal to his advantage by taking Williams when he didn’t have to. Saban would have almost certainly been opposed to players transferring as easily as they can today. Now, Saban has embraced the change.

Saban accepted Williams and quickly found him a key role. He’s done the same for linebacker Henry To’o To’o, who has become a leader for Bama’s defense.

Alabama might still be 3-0 if it didn’t have Williams, but it wouldn’t have two serious threats with experience at wideout. As scary as it sounds, the combination of Metchie and Williams might actually be better than having Smith and all his accolades.

On another team, those players might become jealous and bitter when the other touches the football. That never seems to happen under Saban, who just keeps figuring out ways to win no matter what changes that the NCAA throws at him.

One would think that Alabama’s depth would be hurt by a revolving door known as the transfer portal. Surely, players would leave because they aren’t playing immediately and playing for Saban is a challenge. Surely, they’d go elsewhere. Well, that hasn’t happened. Williams is proof of that.

Dave Hooker

Dave Hooker started covering Tennessee in 1998. He hosts an SEC radio show out of Chattanooga and covers the SEC for Saturday Down South.