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Ryan Williams explains why he stuck with Alabama even after Nick Saban retirement
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Ryan Williams has been Alabama’s best receiver so far in 2024, but he almost ended up with another program.
The former 5-star had been committed to Alabama for well over a year when coach Nick Saban decided to retire last January. After Saban’s announcement, Williams decided to decommit from the program and he ended up taking a couple other visits to SEC programs in January.
However, Williams ultimately re-committed to the Crimson Tide. This week, he told the story of how Kalen DeBoer was able to keep him in the fold.
“I just remember sitting in my room, like, when the news happened, and I was like, ‘man, what am I going to do now?'” Williams said. “I think it was a Monday maybe that [DeBoer] got into town and I seen him on a Tuesday.
“I know there was a lot going on for him so just the fact that he made time for me, that told me everything that I needed to know. Plus, we sat down and had a conversation about what he had heard about me. And of course his résumé up to this point, we just sat down and talked and I was like, ‘there’s no way I’m going anywhere else.'”
Here’s video of his comments:
“Just the fact that [Coach DeBoer] made time for me is everything I needed to know … There’s no way I’m going anywhere else.”
– @Ryanwms1 on his recruitment during Coach @KalenDeBoer‘s 1st few days at UA#RollTide | @AlabamaFTBL | @Alfa_Insurance pic.twitter.com/PAf6Cfmsh1
— Crimson Tide Sports Network (@UA_CTSN) October 25, 2024
Williams re-committed to Alabama back on January 20th of this year — less than 2 weeks after DeBoer was officially named as Saban’s successor.
Williams was one of numerous players that ended up being retained by DeBoer and his staff during the transition, but it’s hard to point to anyone who has been more impactful this fall. Williams leads all Alabama receivers with 31 catches for 689 yards and 7 touchdowns in 2024.
Alabama will take on Mizzou this weekend in Tuscaloosa.
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Spenser is a news editor for Saturday Down South and covers college football across all Saturday Football brands.
