Alabama Five-Star Plus+ WR Ryan Williams reclassifies to 2024, will sign in February

In his three years playing high school football, Saraland (Ala.) five-star wide receiver Ryan Williams has grown into one of the best players in the country. The Alabama commit has recorded numerous accolades over that time, including being named an Under Armour All-American and the Gatorade Player of the Year for Alabama. He is also a state champion and was the most valuable player of a state title game. 

In light of his success, Williams — who felt that he was “dominating on the high school level” — and his family began discussing reclassification options ahead of his junior year. Following his latest high school season, Williams decided that it was the right time to reclassify from the 2025 to the 2024 cycle. 

“I feel like I’ve accomplished the high school part of my life,” Williams told On3. “I just want to move on to the next level and attack that and do what I did on the high school level in college.” 

Before reclassifying, the 6-foot-0, 155-pound wideout planned to enroll in December 2024. Now, Williams will be signing on February 9 — his birthday — which is two days after National Signing Day. 

“Me and my family, we have been talking about it since around the summertime, springtime,” Williams said. “We just knew going into the season that if I wanted to do something like this, that I had to go ahead and get all of my schoolwork done for it.” 

Williams wants to help Alabama “continue the dynasty” 

With his decision, Williams will be joining one of the nation’s most talented recruiting classes. The Crimson Tide’s 2024 class already included 14 blue-chip prospects, including Carlsbad (Calif.) five-star quarterback Julian Sayin, Pinson (Ala.) Clay-Chalkville five-star athlete Jaylen Mbakwe and Carrollton (Ga.) four-star tight end Caleb Odom.

Auburn is still pushing for Williams’ pledge, but the five-star is feeling good about his commitment to head coach Nick Saban and his staff. Throughout his recruitment, he has not only built a strong relationship with wide receivers coach Holmon Wiggins, but also other staffers such as offensive coordinator/quarterbacks coach Tommy Rees and cornerbacks coach Travaris Robinson. All three coaches, along with Saban, were present at Williams’ recent state championship game. 

“Everybody in Tuscaloosa loves me,” Williams said. “It’s just a home feeling.” 

In recent years, Alabama has sent multiple wideouts to the NFL, including Jaylen Waddle, Devonta Smith and Jerry Jeudy. Williams feels like he has a similar skillset to those players and as a result, is excited to showcase his talents on the biggest stage for one of the top programs in college football. 

Of what he likes most about the Tide, Williams added: “Going to a winning program and continuing the dynasty and going to win some national championships.”