Drew Williamson describes what it meant to be at Alabama, switching from growing up Auburn fan

When you grow up in the state of Alabama, you have a decision to make quickly in your life. Are you going to be a fan of Alabama or Auburn?

For Drew Williamson, the Tigers were his childhood team. Being from Brewton, AL — right near the Alabama-Florida border — Williamson was an Auburn fan until it came time to choose a team to play college baseball for. Alabama won out there, as Williamson just ended a five-year career with the Crimson Tide on Sunday.

Williamson was asked what it meant to play for Alabama over the past five years following the Super Regional loss to Wake Forest. He talked about how he’s grown since stepping foot on campus in Tuscaloosa. The young Auburn fan had come to love the Crimson Tide and the people around the baseball program.

“It means so much,” Williamson said. “I’m not even going to be able to get into all of it. But I will just say this — I am so thankful to God for the opportunity to just be able to play here. And to be able to play on a team like this with this group of guys. I love every single one of them. They mean so much to me. This coaching staff, the university, just everything about it.

“The amount of growth, the amount of pain, and resilience that you have to build playing here for five years. I’m just thankful to the University for making me feel like I have grown as a person since I’ve been here. So, I’m forever thankful for that.”

Williamson had his best-ever season in 2023, being one of Alabama’s best hitters at the plate. He hit a career-high (in a full season) .305 over 63 games, adding 15 home runs and 59 RBIs. Both of those were the best of his time in college as well.

During the postseason, Williamson was able to get on base in every single game. Although he was not able to homer during the SEC Tournament, Tuscaloosa Regional, or Winston-Salem Super Regional, he did knock in three runs. Three extra-base hits are on the stat sheet as well, showing off the power.

Losing to Wake Forest may have not been the end result Williamson wanted in his career. However, the people are what Williamson really enjoyed during his time with Alabama — coming a long way from being a childhood Auburn fan.