Alabama coach slams Greg McElroy’s claim that Ryan Williams missed block on 4th-and-22

Much has been written about Ryan Williams’ role in Alabama’s failed fourth-and-22 against Tennessee last week.

Alabama wide receivers coach JaMarcus Shephard made a point Wednesday to set the record straight and change the story in a report from 247 Sports.

The “story” Shephard was referring to began when former Alabama quarterback and ABC analyst Greg McElroy pointed out William’s mistake on the play.

“This is just a crucial mistake by freshman Ryan Williams,” McElroy said during the broadcast of Tennessee’s 24-17 win over Alabama. ‘He has to block. And if he blocks and gets a piece of that guy, Judge Haynes can rush out and possibly pick it up. It’s like Ryan Williams goes to sleep thinking he’s going to throw it to him, and he just totally sniffs the block, allowing Tennessee to rally and make the play. Just a crucial mistake by the young freshmen.”

According to Shephard, that is the furthest from the truth.

“Ryan Williams doesn’t smell a block,” Shephard told 247 Sports. “That is absolutely incorrect. He didn’t smell a block during a play. That should no longer be the story. That didn’t happen on that piece.”

On the play, Williams did not block Rickey Gibson III on the Tide’s fourth-and-22 play. Gibson tackled Judge Haynes after only a 13-yard gain.

Mark Heim is a reporter for The Alabama Media Group. Follow him on Twitter @Mark_Heim. He can be heard daily on “The Opening Kickoff” on WNSP-FM 105.5 FM in Mobile or on the free Sound of Mobile app from 6 a.m. to 9 a.m.