Tag: Ryan Williams

Ryan Williams commitment is Alabama’s first big win of Kalen DeBoer era

Alabama has its first big recruiting win of the Kalen Deboer era.

On a night where the Crimson Tide defeated rival Auburn on the basketball court, the talk around Tuscaloosa on Wednesday was not Alabama’s 79-75 victory over the Tigers, but rather the commitment of Ryan Williams.

A highly-touted wide receiver in the 2024 class who reclassified from 2025, Williams had previously been an Alabama commit since October of 2022, but decided to decommit from the Crimson Tide earlier this month and re-open his recruitment when news broke that former head coach Nick Saban was retiring.

However, the five-star prospect would announce Wednesday night that he would be re-committing to the Crimson Tide’s 2024 class, becoming what was likely the first big recruiting win of the Kalen DeBoer era at Alabama.

For an Alabama wide receiver room that has to replace their top three pass catchers in Jermaine Burton, Isaiah Bond, and Amari Niblack next season, it’s hard to picture Williams not being an instant impact player in Alabama’s new look offense in 2024.

An in-state product out of Saraland High School in Alabama, Williams is considered as the No. 6 overall player in the 2024 class according to the 247Sports Composite, as well as the No. 3 wide receiver nationally. The five-star is also the back-to-back Gatorade Player of the Year in Alabama, and has over 4,000+ all-purpose yards across the last three seasons combined, as well as 70+ touchdowns for one of the state’s top teams.

A truly electrifying player, don’t be surprised if Williams is one of Alabama’s top wide receivers instantly next season, as well as factoring into the return game in some form.

Ryan Williams recommits to Alabama, cancels official visit to Auburn

A top target for the 2024 class has recommitted to Alabama after a successful official visit with new Crimson Tide head coach Kalen Deboer.

Dreams of “The Freeze Five” have officially vanished.

[autotag]Ryan Williams[/autotag], a top target for Auburn’s 2024 class, announced Wednesday that he has recommitted to Alabama following an official visit to Tuscaloosa over the weekend. He was pursued heavily by Auburn after Williams reclassified to the 2024 class to pair him with [autotag]Cam Coleman[/autotag], [autotag]Perry Thompson[/autotag], [autotag]Malcolm Simmons[/autotag], and [autotag]Bryce Cain[/autotag] in Auburn’s wide receiver room.

The news comes as a surprise, as Williams originally planned to announce his college decision and sign on his birthday, Feb. 9. Williams took his official visit to Alabama last weekend to meet with new Crimson Tide head coach, Kalen Deboer. The meeting went well, as he decided to return his pledge to Alabama.

Following Williams’ announcement, Hayes Fawcett of On3 reported that Williams is shutting down his recruitment, which means that his official visit to Auburn on Feb. 3.

Auburn currently holds the No. 8 recruiting class according to 247Sports with three five-star signees: Cam Coleman, Perry Thompson, and [autotag]Amaris Williams[/autotag]. Alabama moves to No. 3 following the commitment of Ryan Williams.

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2024 5-star WR Ryan Williams commits to Alabama 1 day after canceled Texas visit

2024 5-star wide receiver Ryan Williams has committed to Alabama over Auburn and Texas A&M.

5-star wide receiver Ryan Williams has decided to remain close to home and play for the University of Alabama beginning in the fall.

According to On3 Sports national recruiting expert Hayes Fawcett, Williams committed to the Crimson Tide program on Wednesday evening.

“Alabama is and always has been where my heart was since I first began being recruited by them,” Williams stated to On3 Sports. “I love the TIDE and the TIDE loves me. With the addition of Coach DeBoer’s offense and the relationship I built with him and the rest of the staff and such a short amount of time, I am 1000% confident and committed…. ROLL TIDE!”

Williams stands at just over six feet, weighing 165 pounds, and is from Saraland High School in Alabama. He had 26 total offers and had taken three visits. He had one more trip scheduled, to Auburn, on Feb. 3 that is likely canceled.

Williams canceled his scheduled visit to the University of Texas on Tuesday. He has a “5-star plus+” rating per On3, basically meaning that he is in the elite group of players with a 5-star rating.

Texas A&M was Williams’ first visit on Jan. 12. Five days later he traveled to the Bayou to tour LSU. Then on Jan. 20, he trekked over three hours north and nearly 200 miles to Tuscaloosa, visiting the Crimson Tide program only 10 days after Nick Saban retired.

The primary recruiter of Williams for Alabama was wideouts coach Holmon Wiggins, who became wide receivers coach and co-offensive coordinator for the Aggies on Jan. 2.

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2024 five-star WR Ryan Williams re-commits to Alabama

Alabama lands a MASSIVE commitment from 2024 five-star WR Ryan Williams after he de-commited when Nick Saban retired.

Kalen DeBoer has his first huge headline-making news break as the Alabama football head coach. Five-star wide receiver of the 2024 class, Ryan Williams, has re-committed to the Crimson Tide.

The news was devastating for Crimson Tide fans when he announced he would be opening his recruitment back up. He took a visit to Texas A&M and was being heavily pursued by LSU, Texas and Auburn.

The in-state prospect, however, canceled his visit to Texas and re-committed to Alabama the very next day.

This is a massive win for the new Alabama head coach, as many had criticized his ability, or lack thereof, to retain the talent already on the roster and recruit at a high level.

With another National Signing Day soon approaching and the transfer portal re-opening in the Spring, there is a lot to be excited about with this new-look Alabama football program.

Roll Tide Wire will continue to follow Alabama football as the 2024 offseason progresses.

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Alabama receives Crystal Ball projection for WR Ryan Williams

Star wide receiver prospect Ryan Williams recently canceled a visit to Texas, and one expert thinks he’s leaning toward Alabama.

New Alabama head coach Kalen DeBoer can make a huge statement on the recruiting trail if he’s able to land one of the most talented players in the 2024 class, wide receiver Ryan Williams.

Williams, a native of Alabama, was at one point committed to the Crimson Tide. However, he chose to re-open his recruitment after Nick Saban announced his retirement. Other programs pursuing Williams include Auburn, Texas, LSU and others.

Steve Wiltfong of 247Sports recently entered a Crystal Ball projection for Williams to land at Alabama. Others, however, have input predictions favoring Auburn.

Recently, Williams was expected to visit Steve Sarkisian and the Longhorns. However, the visit was reportedly canceled, according to On3‘s Hunter Shelton (subscription required).

Roll Tide Wire will continue to follow Alabama football as the 2024 offseason progresses.

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Five-star WR Ryan Williams cancels Texas visit

The top recruit was supposed to visit Texas in just a few days, but it’s off the calendar now. 

Five-star wide receiver cancelled his Texas visit for this weekend, per On3’s Gerry Hamilton. Continue reading “Five-star WR Ryan Williams cancels Texas visit”

Report: 2024 5-star WR Ryan Williams cancels Longhorns trip, visited Texas A&M on Jan. 12

The primary recruiter for Alabama was wideouts coach Holmon Wiggins, who became wide receivers coach and co-offensive coordinator for the Aggies on Jan. 2.

Uncommitted 5-star wide receiver Ryan Williams from the Class of 2024 has reportedly decided to skip one of his upcoming trips to a prominent school in the Lone Star State.

According to On3 Sports senior national recruiting analyst Gerry Hamilton, Williams has canceled his scheduled visit to the University of Texas. Williams has a “5-star plus+” rating per On3, basically meaning that he is in the elite group of players with a 5-star rating.

Williams stands at just over six feet, weighing 165 pounds from Saraland High School in Alabama. He has 26 total offers, has taken three visits and has one more on the calendar.

Texas A&M was Williams’ first visit on Jan. 12. Five days later he traveled to the Bayou to tour LSU. Then on Jan. 20, he trekked over three hours north and nearly 200 miles to Tuscaloosa, visiting the Crimson Tide program only 10 days after Nick Saban retired. Williams has one more trip planned to Auburn on Feb. 3.

Mike Elko has a feather in his cap on his staff that may give him an advantage in courting Williams to College Station. The primary recruiter for Alabama was wideouts coach Holmon Wiggins, who became wide receivers coach and co-offensive coordinator for the Aggies on Jan. 2.

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WATCH: Ryan Williams opens up about his recruitment following visit to Alabama

Ryan Williams remains one of the most highly coveted prospects in the class of 2024

Perhaps the most highly sought-after prospect remaining in the class of 2024 is a five-star wide receiver from Saraland High School in Alabama, Ryan Williams.

Williams, the once Alabama football commit, recently reclassified from the 2025 class to the 2024 class and despite his youth, is one of the most talented prospects.

Williams is coming off an official visit with Alabama and was able to spend time with Coach Kalen DeBoer and the rest of the new coaching staff in Tuscaloosa.

On Monday, Al.com caught up with Williams to get the latest on his recruitment following his visit with Alabama and ahead of his upcoming visits to Texas and Auburn.

Williams is set to make his commitment on Feb. 9 which happens to be his birthday.

Stay tuned to Roll Tide Wire for more on Williams and other Alabama football news.

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Alabama commit Jaylen Mbakwe says five-star WR Ryan Williams is a ‘lock’ to commit to the Crimson Tide

Alabama commit says that the Tide are a ‘lock’ to land five-star WR Ryan Williams

Following [autotag]Nick Saban’s[/autotag] shocking retirement, the past 12 days have been filled with decommitments and players entering the transfer portal. New head coach [autotag]Kalen DeBoer[/autotag] has done everything possible to keep the roster and recruits intact as much as possible, but it’s like trying to cover a gunshot wound with a band aid.

Fortunately, the worst of it has passed and DeBoer is growing into the role. He has done an exceptional job filling out the coaching staff moving forward and has a great foundation for a roster. There is still plenty of work to do on the recruiting trail and in the portal, but things are moving in the right direction.

Five-star wide receiver [autotag]Ryan Williams[/autotag] de-committed from the Tide following Saban’s retirement, but he certainly has not ruled Alabama out. Williams was back in Tuscaloosa over the weekend for a surprise visit and apparently it was a great trip for both parties. So much so that Alabama CB commit [autotag]Jaylen Mbakwe[/autotag], who was also in town for the weekend, said that Williams is a “lock” to commit to the Tide.

Williams is the No. 9 player in the 2024 recruiting cycle and the No. 4 WR in the class. Given the lack of experience at the WR position on the Tide’s depth chart, Williams will have a chance to compete for the Tide’s WR1 position as a true freshman. A lot of people have pointed out strong similarities between the recruitments of Williams and Julio Jones.

List of top Alabama recruits who have decommitted since Nick Saban retired

After Alabama coach Nick Saban announced his retirement, football recruits began decommitmenting from the Crimson Tide. See the list here.

Longtime Alabama head coach Nick Saban’s retirement sent a shock wave around college football as the sport lost not only a legend but one of the greatest coaches of all time. A key part of game planning, program strategy, and recruitment, Saban touched all elements of arguably the top program of modern college football.

With his exit, many top high school football recruits who chose Alabama are now reconsidering their decision. Five-star prospects including Ryan Williams, Jaime Ffrench and Zion Grady are among those who have announced intentions to re-evaluate the college football market and have conversations with other teams they previously passed on in favor of Alabama and Saban.

Take a look at the list of former Alabama commits back on the market. All rankings are according to the 247Sports Composite: