He was named the Alabama Gatorade Football Player of the Year and the Alabama Mr. Football both those years, becoming the first two time Alabama Mr. Football winner, and the first sophomore to win the award. A five-star recruit, Williams reclassified from the 2025 recruiting class to the 2024 class. He played in the 2024 Under Armour All-America Game, where he had a touchdown reception. He committed to the University of Alabama to play college football.

Williams made his first college start in week one of the 2024 season at age 17, making him one of the youngest players in FBS football. He earned SEC Freshman of the Week honors for his debut performance against Western Kentucky, catching two passes for 139 yards and two touchdowns in the 63–0 victory. Against No. 2 ranked Georgia, Williams caught six passes for 177 yards, including the game-winning 75-yard touchdown in the fourth quarter to lead the Crimson Tide to a 41–34 victory. As a freshman, he finished with 48 receptions for 865 yards and eight touchdowns.