Pro Mindset: Ole Miss’ Ayden Williams embraces the challenges of talented WR room: ‘Stuff we’re learning here is really like the NFL’
OXFORD, Miss. – Ole Miss sophomore Ayden Williams is expected to become yet another in a long line of ultra-talented wide receivers for the Rebels. He signed with Ole Miss on December 21st, 2022, rated as the second-highest player in the class just behind five-star Suntarine Perkins.
Although he didn’t get as much playing time as one might have expected, that doesn’t phase Williams at all.
“Guys coming in and out? That doesn’t worry me. As long as I put my work in, God’s going to take care of the rest,” Williams said in his first interview with media since arriving in Oxford.
Media got the chance Tuesday to visit with Williams and hear his thoughts on his freshman season, what the competition is like and why his commitment to Ole Miss remains strong.
Despite his incredible talent, Williams walked into a wide receiver room last year that was filled with veterans like Tre Harris, Jordan Watkins, and Dayton Wade, so playing time at receiver was understandably hard to come by. He recorded four catches for 80 yards in 2023.
Highest Graded WR Vs Press Coverage Last Season:
🔵 Tre Harris, Ole Miss: 92.4 pic.twitter.com/z50W05BtSb
— PFF College (@PFF_College) April 3, 2024
Nevertheless, offensive coordinator Charlie Weis, Jr. made it clear back in December at the Peach Bowl what he thinks of Williams and teammate Cayden Lee.
Charlie Weis on young WRs: “Ayden Williams and Cayden Lee have really bright futures…those two guys have had a fantastic mindset all season…I’m really excited to see those guys move into next season and take on bigger roles next season….They’re going to be special.”
— The Rebel Walk (@TheRebelWalk) December 28, 2023
Even though Williams’ time on the field was limited, his learning was not, and he was able to soak up an abundance of information throughout the season, much of it coming from his fellow wide receivers.
“Shoutout to those guys, especially D-Wade (Dayton Wade), Tre (Harris), and all of them. I was really just trying to be a sponge. I’m on them at practice trying to see what releases they do, what they do to get open, and they really taught me a lot, especially D-Wade. I’d even go to his house, we’d watch film and do little stuff like that.“
Ayden Williams on what he learned as a freshman
The Mississippi native says he was battling a minor groin injury throughout the entirety of last year, resulting in surgery that took place as soon as the season was over. Fortunately, Ayden was recently cleared to participate in team drills, seven-on-seven, and full practices.
“I had surgery shortly after the season, so I was just focusing on recovering, learning the playbook, and getting an understanding of the game.”
Ayden Williams on what he’s done to improve this spring
Spring 🌱 @aydenwilliams74
Year 2️⃣: Time to get to the bag 💼💰#slideout #mississippimade pic.twitter.com/PKThx9NkTh
— Mike Espy (@ESPN3ALLDAY) March 23, 2024
Williams’ reply was similar to fellow wide receiver Cayden Lee’s when asked what made him stay at Ole Miss instead of entering his name in the transfer portal.
Ayden responded, explaining how he is not one to run away from competition.
“My role is to come in and compete. I understand there are veteran guys in the room, but at the end of the day, it’s football, so we’re all competing to get on the field. Stuff we’re learning here is really like the NFL, so when guys come in, it’s going to be like that when we go to the next level. As long as we stay here, learn everything we need to do, and compete, when we get to the next level, it’s going to be no problem.“
Ayden Williams on why he refused to enter his name in the transfer portal
Trust the Process 🎯@aydenwilliams74 | #ProMindset pic.twitter.com/iMYbw5kCln
— Ole Miss Football (@OleMissFB) April 9, 2024
Ayden is also getting the chance to play with a former high school teammate in Yam Banks. Both Rebels graduated from Ridgeland High School, located about two hours south of the Ole Miss campus.
Congrats @aydenwilliams74 #MSAL pic.twitter.com/v5Nj7uEutv
— Mike Espy (@ESPN3ALLDAY) October 5, 2022
“Me and Yam went to the same high school. When I was a freshman, he was a senior. I was under him. He played receiver and defensive back, so I’m familiar with him. Yam is a dog. You guys saw him at South Alabama, he can play. He’s going to be making some plays out in the SEC this year for sure.“
Ayden Williams on Yam Banks
You can catch Ayden and Yam on the field this Saturday at 3 p.m. in the Grove Bowl Games. Hotty Toddy!
