Alabama’s Ryan Williams, Jaylen Mbakwe Launch ‘New Wave’ Podcast
By Darian Kelly
Last Updated on September 30, 2024
University of Alabama freshman football players Ryan Williams and Jaylen Mbakwe are the latest college athletes to start a podcast. Appropriately titled “New Wave,” the bi-weekly podcast gives listeners an inside look into the lives of Alabama football players on and off the field. Additionally, the show will feature Alabama football legends and NFL players as guests to share their journeys to the league. The podcast’s YouTube page already has over 10,000 subscribers.
The idea for the podcast has been in the works since Williams and Mbakwe were in high school. According to Tuscaloosa News, Williams was encouraged by former Alabama head coach Nick Saban to follow through with the podcast while on his recruiting visit last year.
“As recruits, we knew we wanted to do something like a podcast because we always feed off each other,” Williams said. “And it was actually coach Saban. He gave us a look and was like, ‘That’s a good idea.’ Everybody has kept supporting us, and Alabama has done a great job of allowing us to express ourselves and share it on a platform.”
Saban’s blessing for the two first-year players to start the podcast is ironic. During his tenure, he had a rule where true freshmen were not allowed to speak with media representatives. In this new NIL era, the more visibility and personal branding you build while leveraging your college’s reputation, the more NIL opportunities can emerge.
The show is produced in-house. Current Crimson Tide head Coach Kalen DeBoer appointed Walt Brock and Preston Adelman, two members of the program’s creative team, to lead the efforts behind the scenes.
The latest episode of “New Wave” will be highly anticipated following a massive 41-34 victory over Georgia Saturday night at Bryant Denny Stadium. Willams had six receptions for 177 yards, including an acrobatic catch and score late in the fourth quarter to give the Crimson Tide the lead. Alabama is ranked No. 1 in the latest Associated Press Poll and will have the college football world’s attention as they look to defend their SEC title.
