Kalen DeBoer ‘can’t wait’ to get 5-star Ryan Williams on Alabama’s campus in the WR room

The University of Alabama has talented wide receivers in its football program, but Crimson Tide fans are waiting on 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 spoke to reporters Thursday at a Team Focus Fundraiser in Mobile (Ala.) said he ‘can’t wait’ to get Williams in the receiver room.

Williams, who reclassified to the 2024 recruiting cycle, will enroll in school later this month. 

“We will play the best guys,” DeBoer said about Williams’ opportunity 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.”

Alabama had several receivers play as freshman in the Nick Saban era, including Julio Jones, Amari Cooper, Calvin Ridley, Jerry Jeudy, Henry Ruggs III, DeVonta Smith, and Jaylen Waddle. Williams has a skill set that is more than capable to take over the room if needed.

It will be interesting to see how he goes about summer workouts.