"SEC has nightmares of these three faces": Alabama fans react as Ryan Williams, Ty Simpson earn major academic honors ahead of the 2025 CFB season

The University of Alabama recognized wide receiver Ryan Williams, quarterback Ty Simpson and defensive back Jaylen Mbakwe as student-athletes of the week on Thursday. The news was announced by Alabama Football's Instagram page:

Fans were ecstatic to see the three earn the academic honor and promptly shared their congratulations in the comments of an Instagram post announcing the news.

“Congratulations Ryan Williams, I’m so proud of you and your accomplishments. You are a phenomenal student and even better on the field. I love you. RTR ❤️🤍,” one fan said.

“SEC has nightmares of these three faces,” another fan said.

“3 goats,” a fan said.

Ahead of the upcoming football season, the trio’s hard work on the gridiron has not affected their performance in the classroom and fans couldn’t be prouder.

“Good job Ryan your very smart and very athletic,” a fan said.

“My glories king I love him so much one of the college football player I on now,” another fan said.

“Everyone in the comments be raising Williams and yes he is super talented, but yall gotta watch out for Ty Simspon himself … I feel ppl still doubt him but I know he is taking us far. Just wait. In Ty Simpson I Trust 🔥,” one fan said.

Ryan Grubb reiterates that Ty Simpson might be Alabama’s starter come fall

Alabama’s offensive coordinator Ryan Grubb said in April that Ty Simpson will rise above freshman Keelon Russell and sophomore Austin Mack in the quarterback battle if the Crimson Tide were to play a “game tomorrow.”

On Thursday, Grubb reiterated that Simpson would be the Crimson Tide’s starting quarterback if a game were to be played soon. When asked by Ryan Fowler on Tide 100.9’s “The Game” whether Simpson start if Crimson Tide had a game this Saturday, Grubb said:

“He is. He is right now. We don’t really deal in absolutes until we have to, but I was trying to answer that as honestly as I could. … We had our post-spring evaluations done with the guys.

“Ty took care of the football better, he operated better. I thought he improved for an older quarterback – and I know 'young' to playing or starting experience, but I thought for an older guy, especially towards the latter part of the spring, he really started to show more of those characteristics.”

However, Grubb also said that the quarterback competition between Ty Simpson, Keelon Russell and Austin Mack will keep on going during the offseason.

“But we’re still going to let them compete. We still are right now. We will again in fall camp.”

Alabama will travel to face off against the Florida State Seminoles on Aug. 31 to start off their 2025 season.

About the author

Garima's inclination for sports began with Pitthu/Seven Stones, then cricket, when she was named the team captain in high school, and slowly built up to badminton, tennis, swimming, baseball, and, most recently, F1. There is no end to her love for Serena Williams, who she admires for her incredible impact not only on the game but on women around the world.

Apart from sports, she loves good storytelling in any form, be it a good fiction book, film, or even a vlog. Photography, going on drives, eating good food, and exercising are the things that keep her sound.

Currently studying the Japanese language, she aims to become fluent by the end of 2026.

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Edited by nagpaltusharn25