Five-Star Plus+ WR Ryan Williams signs with Alabama

Saraland (Ala.) Five-Star Plus+ wide receiver Ryan Williams has signed with Alabama.

Williams initially committed to the Crimson Tide in October 2022, choosing Alabama over a handful of other offers. Over the course of the next year, Williams exploded into one of the nation’s top Class of 2025 recruits.

Following the retirement of Nick Saban, he backed off that longtime commitment to the Tide and reopened his recruitment. Auburn, Texas and Texas A&M quickly became the biggest threats to land him. He took an official visit to College Station in January and followed that with an official visit to Alabama.

After that trip, he canceled his visits to Texas and Auburn, and then re-committed to the Crimson Tide in a massive recruiting victory for first-year coach Kalen DeBoer.

“He knows what it takes, and he’s going to continue the culture and the Alabama standard,” Williams said of DeBoer last month. “It’s not going to drop off one bit, and he just wanted me to understand that I could have a big role in that. I have open eyes and I want to hear them out. It’s just about building a relationship as fast as possible because I have a relationships with other coaches around t he country, so if that’s somewhere I’m considering, I need to have that. I love Alabama, I was committed there for a year for a reason.”

The 6-foot-1, 165-pounder is the No. 5 overall prospect and No. 3 wide receiver in the 2024 cycle, according to the On3 Industry Ranking, a weighted average that utilizes all four major recruiting media companies. He is also the No. 2 player in Alabama. 

Ryan Williams Scouting Summary

“The most productive and athletic wide receiver in high school football as a sophomore. Turned in an utterly dominant season in 2022. Measured around 6-foot, 160 pounds in the spring following his sophomore season. One of the fastest wideouts in the nation, regardless of class. Posted a scintillating 10.49 second 100-meter time early on in his sophomore track season. A legitimate state title contender in four track events – the 100, 200, 400 meters and high jump. Shows the ability to harness his elite speed on the football field. A big-time deep threat who easily runs past defensive backs. Has high-end change of direction and breaks off cornerbacks with agility within his routes.

… Caught 88 passes for 1,641 yards and 24 touchdowns, ran for 700 yards and 15 touchdowns on 57 rushes (12.3 yards per carry), returned two punts for touchdowns and passed for a score while leading his high school to a state title as a sophomore. Was named Alabama’s Gatorade Player of the Year following the historic season. Was the On3 MVP at Under Armour’s Atlanta camp prior to his junior season. Looks like one of the top pass-catchers in high school football regardless of class and is the top wide receiver prospect from Alabama since Henry Ruggs III. Will need to continue adding strength and mass to his slender frame.”