Former Alabama football coach Nick Saban wasted no time in praising Crimson Tide star and freshman wide receiver Ryan Williams.

In a segment on “College GameDay” that compared the impact of freshmen on college football by players like Tennessee quarterback Nico Iamaleava and Ohio State wide receiver Jeremiah Smith, Saban said Williams is in a class of his own at 17.

“Ryan Williams is a mature competitor, man,” Saban said. “He’s one of the most mature guys I’ve ever recruited. As a freshman, he’s shown maturity. And what that really says when a guy is a mature competitor is that he can focus on the things that matter.”

For a 17-year-old, Williams is “explosive, has great hands, can catch the ball well” and plays like a former Alabama receiver, according to Saban.

“I think this kid reminds me of Amari Cooper as a freshman, and I think this kid is going to have a great career,” Saban said.

Who is Ryan Williams?

Williams was the No. 4 player and No. 3 receiver overall in the 2024 recruiting class. He was re-drafted to the class of 2024 after his junior football season at Saraland High School in Alabama, where he twice won the Mr. Football Award and was named Gatorade Player of the Year.

Williams initially committed to Saban and Alabama in October 2022, but reopened his recruitment following Saban’s retirement. Williams re-engaged with the Crimson Tide class of 2024 on Jan. 24.

More about Ryan Williams: How Alabama Five-Star Football Player Ryan Williams Deals With Fame

In three games with the Crimson Tide, Williams has six catches for 207 yards and three touchdowns.

Colin Gay covers Alabama football for The Tuscaloosa News, part of the USA TODAY Network. Reach him at [email protected] or follow him @_ColinGay on X, formerly known as Twitter.

This article originally appeared on The Tuscaloosa News: Nick Saban compares Ryan Williams to former Alabama football star WR