Auburn HC Hugh Freeze in to see Alabama Five-Star Plus+ WR commit Ryan Williams

The 2023 regular season may be over, but Bryant-Denny Stadium in Tuscaloosa is still hosting meaningful football in December.

Saraland High and Pinson Clay-Chalkville are squaring off for the Alabama 6A state title on Friday night, and multiple head coaches and staffers are in the building to see some top prospects. That includes Auburn head coach Hugh Freeze, who’s in to see a Tiger commit, as well as a top flip target.

Clay-Chalkville three-star linebacker D’Angelo Barber is pledged to Auburn, but the name garnering all the buzz is Saraland Five-Star Plus+ wide receiver and Alabama commit Ryan Williams.

Auburn head coach Hugh Freeze is here in Bryant-Denny for the Class 6A championship game.

Auburn commit DJ Barber is playing for Clay-Chalkville.

… And flip target Ryan Williams is playing for Saraland. pic.twitter.com/wVCwYHZqBw

— Justin Lee (@ByJustinLee) December 9, 2023

Williams committed to Alabama all the way back on Oct. 8, 2022. The 6-foot, 155-pounder has proven to be one of the top prospects in the nation and currently checks in as the No. 4 recruit and top-ranked wideout in the 2025 cycle, according to the On3 Industry Rankings.

Auburn hasn’t let up in the slightest in its push to flip Williams, however. He made three game visits to The Plains this fall and has not tried to shy away from the clear interest in Freeze and the Tigers. Auburn’s message to Williams? “Come change the program,” he told Auburn Live. “Be the first in 16, 15 years to have 1,000 yards receiving.”

Williams is in touch with Auburn’s crop of receivers committed in the 2024 cycle, including Foley (Ala.) five-star Perry Thompson and Mobile (Ala.) Baker four-star Bryce Cain. The Tigers also recently flipped Phenix City (Ala.) five-star Cam Coleman from Texas A&M, making the flip potential all the more exciting. Williams has also teased an announcement for next week, with many speculating that he’ll be reclassifying to the 2024 cycle.

“I talk to them all the time,” Williams said of the Auburn WR commits. “We talk pretty often. It will be great, having great guys beside me and knowing I wouldn’t get double or tripled teamed. If I do, someone is going to score. It will keep defenses honest and I know we would score a lot of points.”

Ryan Williams Scouting Summary

“The most productive and athletic wide receiver in high school football as a sophomore. Turned in an utterly dominant season in 2022. Measured around 6-foot, 160 pounds in the spring following his sophomore season. One of the fastest wideouts in the nation, regardless of class. Posted a scintillating 10.49 second 100-meter time early on in his sophomore track season. A legitimate state title contender in four track events – the 100, 200, 400 meters and high jump. Shows the ability to harness his elite speed on the football field. A big-time deep threat who easily runs past defensive backs. Has high-end change of direction and breaks off cornerbacks with agility within his routes.

…Caught 88 passes for 1,641 yards and 24 touchdowns, ran for 700 yards and 15 touchdowns on 57 rushes (12.3 yards per carry), returned two punts for touchdowns and passed for a score while leading his high school to a state title as a sophomore. Was named Alabama’s Gatorade Player of the Year following the historic season. Was the On3 MVP at Under Armour’s Atlanta camp prior to his junior season. Looks like one of the top pass-catchers in high school football regardless of class and is the top wide receiver prospect from Alabama since Henry Ruggs III. Will need to continue adding strength and mass to his slender frame.”