Five-Star Plus+ WR Ryan Williams takes official visit to Alabama
Alabama hosted a number of recruiting and transfer portal visitors over the weekend, but arguably none was more important than Five-Star Plus+ wide receiver Ryan Williams.
The one-time Crimson Tide commitment backed off his pledge earlier this month after Nick Saban’s retirement but is still very much considering Alabama.
He was originally scheduled to take an official visit to LSU earlier in the week, but ultimately canceled that.
On Sunday, his whole family was in attendance as Williams showed his photoshoot in the Alabama uniform.
Alabama battling Auburn, Texas and others for Williams
Other than Alabama, no school has recruited Williams quite like Auburn. Even prior to Saban leaving, Williams was strongly considering signing with the Tigers. He has relationships with multiple staff members and knows he is their No. 1 priority.
“Every time they get an opportunity to hit the road or see recruits, I’m the first one they see,” he said. “So that definitely makes a difference.”
Texas is newer to his recruitment and he has yet to visit Austin, but is excited to get up there in a few weeks.
“It’s definitely a big visit because I’m interested to meet Coach Sark formally and see how I would fit in his offense,” said Williams. “I want to see Coach Milwee, Coach Jackson and see the development and how they think I could be part of the program.”
New Crimson Tide coaching staff has made a strong impression
Williams is still giving Alabama strong consideration, though. DeBoer, the new head coach, was in contact almost immediately after he was hired and has made the nation’s No. 3 wideout a top priority.
“I’m very interested in the new hire. Looking at his track record and what he’s done with offenses and how explosive they were,” Williams said. “That’s definitely something of interest to me, and I’d love to stay home. He told me that I was a priority for him with the way his offense is set up, and I would fit right in and make a lot of plays.”
Williams believes DeBoer will continue the high standard at Alabama as well.
“He knows what it takes, and he’s going to continue the culture and the Alabama standard. 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. They definitely still have a shot.”