College football teen sensation sees NIL valuation double as he chases mammoth earnings of select few like Livvy Dunne and Sheduer Sanders

Ryan Williams announced himself in a big way against Georgia.

The 17-year-old college football phenom, who plays as a wide receiver for the Alabama Crimson Tide, stunned the sports world on Saturday with a series of highlight reel plays in a 41-34 win over the Bulldogs.

Williams made everyone take note of him against GeorgiaGetty

The sensational freshman finished the game with a season-high six receptions for 177 yards and a touchdown, earning him SEC Freshman of the Week honors.

Perhaps more importantly for Williams, though, he’s seen his NIL (Name, Image and Likeness) valuation almost double in the days since that stellar showing.

“The former Five-Star Plus+ wide receiver has added nearly 160,000 followers on Instagram. Williams’ On3 NIL Valuation has jumped $768,000 to $1.5 million since Saturday’s game,” Pete Nakos of On3.com reported.

The updated NIL policy, introduced in July 2021, finally allowed student-athletes to make money from their associated brands for the first time in history while still being in college.

Countless big names in college sports have cashed in on the landmark legislation and seen their personal wealth skyrockets.

On3 recently refreshed their rankings of the top NIL earners with Colorado Buffaloes quarterback Shedeur Sanders — son of NFL legend Deion — coming out on top with a $5.6m valuation.

LSU gymnast Livvy Dunne is second on the list with a $4m valuation while Sanders’ Buffs teammate Travis Hunter — a potential No. 1 overall pick in next spring’s NFL Draft — is third at $3.3m.

Texas Longhorns quarterback Arch Manning — a member of the iconic Manning family — is fourth with a $3.1m NIL valuation.

Jalen Milroe — Alabama’s quarterback and teammate of Williams — rounds out the top five at $2.5m.

Sheduer became the first college athlete to sign a deal with NikeGetty

Dunne helped deliver LSU a championship in 2023 and her earnings mirror that of a professional athleteGetty

Williams’ new valuation ranks 14th among all college athletes, putting him in line with Duke prospect and possible No. 1 NBA draft pick Cooper Flagg and LSU quarterback Garrett Nussmeier (both at $1.5 million).

The teenager has moved ahead of LSU star and former Angel Reese teammate Flau’jae Johnson and Connecticut’s Paige Bueckers (both at $1.4 million).

Williams’ social media following has also gained a significant boost since Saturday’s performance.

The wideout’s Instagram followers have increased by more than 160,000 and his total social-media following is over 640,000.

Four games into the season, Williams leads Alabama’s receivers with 16 receptions for 462 yards and five scores.

Williams is a supremely gifted talent, who is now set to reap the rewards of his effortsGetty

He’s done so on just 16 total receptions — averaging a ridiculous 28.9 yards per catch.

The supremely gifted youngster has made big plays the norm, including a 75-yard winning score against Georgia that saw him spin two defenders and race into the endzone.

Earlier in the game, he completed an impressive 54-yard catch off a Jalen Milroe pass.

Williams is an Alabama native and was a 5-star prospect and the No. 4 overall recruit in the nation as part of the 2024 class.

He’s blazing a path to the pros but will have to wait several years until he is is NFL draft-eligible.

The earliest he can declare for the NFL draft is in 2027, when he’ll be 20-years-old.

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