Jameson Williams’ breakout season at Alabama ended with the former Ohio State wide receiver tearing his ACL in the second quarter of the national championship game on Monday night.
As he attempted to make a cut in the Lucas Oil Stadium turf on a 40-yard catch over the middle, Williams’ knee buckled. He immediately grimaced in pain and reached for his knee as he went down to the ground, and had to be helped off the field.
Jameson Williams was injured on this play: pic.twitter.com/gfNZ7OAMkH
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) January 11, 2022
Nick Saban said after the game that Williams actually wanted to return to the game but Alabama’s medical staff would not allow him to do so.
Nick Saban: We wont know the extent of the knee injury until we get an MRI. Saban said Jameson Williams wanted to play in the second half and the medical staff wouldnt let. I think it was smart because he has a future as a football player."
— Mike Rodak (@mikerodak) January 11, 2022
Unfortunately for Williams, an MRI confirmed Tuesday that Williams suffered a torn ACL, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter. Schefter reported that Williams is expected to make a full recovery, though the torn ACL will almost certainly prevent him from working out for NFL teams before the 2022 NFL draft, which he officially declared for on Thursday, and could sideline him for at least part of his rookie season in the league.
Alabama's Jameson Williams, the projected top WR in the 2022 NFL Draft, tore his ACL last night vs. Georgia, per sources. Doctors believe that, after surgery within the next 10 days, Williams will retain his sub 4.3 speed, and they expect a full recovery.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) January 11, 2022
The injury serves as an unfortunate end to an All-American season for the former Ohio State wide receiver, who positioned himself to be a first-round draft pick with 79 catches for 1,572 yards and 15 touchdowns this season.
The support he received from his former Ohio State teammates and coaches all season continued after the injury, as a multitude of Buckeyes took to Twitter to send their best wishes to Williams in the minutes following his exit from the game.
— Brian Hartline (@brianhartline) January 11, 2022
Not Jamo!!
— Mark Pantoni (@markpantoni) January 11, 2022
Sick for him man
— Terry McLaurin (@TheTerry_25) January 11, 2022
— Garrett Wilson (@GarrettWilson_V) January 11, 2022
That hurts my heart to watch prayers up lil brother! @bigsgjamo
— Jeff Okudah (@jeffokudah) January 11, 2022
Prayers up Jamo
— Parris Campbell (@PCampbell21) January 11, 2022
— Chris Olave (@chrisolave_) January 11, 2022
Jamo
— LiL KayJay (@KayJayHill) January 11, 2022
I ended my career playing on that bull$hit. Turf is a trash, worst thing to ever happen to football. #CFBPlayoff #nfl #NFLTwitter
— Santonio Holes Jr. (@ToneTime10) January 11, 2022
