July 7, 2024

The University of Alabama’s football program boasts great wide receivers, but Crimson Tide supporters are waiting for one name to arrive on campus and steal the show.

Kalen DeBoer’s first marquee win as Alabama’s head coach was getting five-star Ryan Williams to re-commit and sign.

The superstar from Saraland (Ala.) High School de-committed from Alabama when Nick Saban announced his retirement from coaching; however, DeBoer’s ability to get him back was huge. DeBoer and his staff won Williams over when he took his visit to the school shortly after DeBoer got the job. Williams earned two-time “Mr. Football” for the state of Alabama and nearly delivered Saraland to a Class 6A state championship. Many Tide fans believe Williams is the receiver that can be the showstopper in the room like Julio Jones, Amari Cooper, Calvin Ridley, Jerry Jeudy, Henry Ruggs III, DeVonta Smith, Jaylen Waddle, and Jameson Williams were before him.

DeBoer told reporters Thursday at a Team Focus Fundraiser in Mobile (Ala.) that he ‘can’t wait’ to get Williams into the receiving room.

Williams, who reclassified for the 2024 recruiting cycle, will start school later this month.

“We will play the best guys,” DeBoer said of Williams’ potential as a freshman.

“Guys that can get out there and help us, it does not matter what age they are. Ryan has a very special skill set. Explosiveness along with consistent production. I think from him what’s been so impressive is it goes back to the week we met up with him and he came on campus, there was so much thrown at him. … New head coach, new coordinator, new position coach, and when I hear him talk about what it is within our program that he really enjoyed and is excited about, he retained so much of that information. It leaves you to believe that this was an important decision for him. He was being really thorough, really thoughtful, and I can’t wait to get him with our guys. That attention to detail is something you can take for granted.”

During Nick Saban’s tenure, Alabama’s freshman receivers included Julio Jones, Amari Cooper, Calvin Ridley, Jerry Jeudy, Henry Ruggs III, DeVonta Smith, and Jaylen Waddle. Williams possesses a skill set that allows him to easily take over the room if necessary.

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