By: Cory Lemer
Ryan Williams ranked as the top receiver in the 2025 class. The 6’0.5″ 165-pound receiver hails from Saraland, Alabama, and racked up twenty-six offers throughout his recruitment. Following a camp, the Tide offered Williams in June of 2022. A few months later, the highly touted playmaker announced he would stay home to play for Nick Saban and Alabama.
Williams dominated his sophomore season, becoming the sophomore named Mr. State Of Alabama Football. During this season, he caught 88 passes, eclipsing over 1,600 yards and twenty-four touchdowns. He eclipsed over 700 yards and 18 touchdowns between rushing, throwing and punting. Following this season, Williams hauled in over ten offers from prestigious schools and received massive ranking boosts. The best was yet to come for him.
Alabama sophomore WR commit Ryan Williams has 34 touchdowns this season and "limitless" potential. Could he be the first sophomore Mr. Football? @Ryanwms1 @GoSaraland #alpreps https://t.co/eQ1zrSzv7h
— Ben Thomas (@BenThomasPreps) November 14, 2022
His Junior year meant the push for a second straight Mr. Alabama Football title for Williams. Saraland Football, led by 2025 Texas Commit KJ Lacey, made it to the Alabama 6A State Championship game against Alabama Commit Jaylen Mbakwe and Clay-Chalkville in Bryant Denny Stadium. Despite the loss, Williams finished with over 340 all-purpose yards, Adding to an impressive year where he eclipsed 1,300 yards and 19 touchdowns on 72 catches. With only one season before college, his recruitment was taking off.
Williams shocked the recruiting world when he announced he would join the 2024 Alabama class and forgo his senior season. After his reclassification, he remained a five-star, ranked between the #2 and #5 receiver in the 2024 cycle. He was later named Gatorade Player of the Year for Alabama, adding to an impressive year for the touted route runner. The college football world was about to change forever, kicking off the excitement in his recruitment.
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Best #HSFootball Player in Every State '23 🏈
Alabama: Ryan Williams, Jr., Wide Receiver
Saraland High School (Saraland)
Ht/Wt: 6-foot, 170 lbs
College: Alabama
USA Today HS All-American '22
Class 6A State Champion '22
Alabama Gatorade POY '22https://t.co/e3ETnKZWmt pic.twitter.com/UbsmuAEonG— stadiumtalkcom (@stadiumtalkcom) June 30, 2023
Nick Saban, the G.O.A.T of college football, shocked the world when he announced his retirement in early January. Many players entered the portal and caused many 2025 and a few 2024 recruits to back off their decision. Ryan Williams was one of them. Auburn and Hugh Freeze are always in play late in recruitment. With the Commitment of five-star WR Cam Coleman and high-four Perry Thompson, many believed Ryan Williams would join the talented receivers to form the “Avengers” in the Plains.
Nick Saban Announces Retirement after 17 Seasons at Alabamahttps://t.co/ORNyq7y3TW pic.twitter.com/vEaRltZ45c
— The Southern Star (@ozarkalnews) January 18, 2024
Back in Tuscaloosa, Alabama is having a rough week, losing Defensive Backs Coach Tarvaris Robinson to Rival Georgia. Following his departure, the Tide lost Freshman All Americans Caleb Downs and Kadyn Proctor to BIG 10 schools. The Tide managed to lure in a big fish by hiring Washington HC Kalen DeBoer, who led the Huskies to a National Championship appearance weeks earlier.
DeBoer replaced long-standing WR Coach Holmon Wiggins, who joined Mike Elko and his new staff at Texas A&M with JaMarcus Sheppard, who helped Washington have three star-studded receivers in Rome Odunze, Jaylin Polk, and Jalen McMillan. The combination of new OC Ryan Grubb and JaMarcus Sheppard caught the attention of former commit Ryan Williams, who was in the midst of a few visits.
With Williams slated to sign with his college of choice tomorrow, who will land him? I believe the Tide has this one locked up. Texas A&M, LSU, and Alabama received visits before he recommitted to the Tide, and following his Auburn visit, he moved his signing day up from Friday to Wednesday. Noah Carter and Quinton Reese, who are two Alabama commits, are expected to sign tomorrow, with his date being moved up, it looks like he will join his future teammates. I expect the Tide to land the touted WR as they begin this new era.
