Ryan Coleman-Williams Evolving as a Leader for Alabama as Upperclassman

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. - Two seasons ago, wide receiver Ryan Williams was a freshman, learning his way around campus and working his way up the Alabama depth chart. Now, third-year wide receiver  Ryan Coleman-Williams is the leader of the Tide's receiver room following the departures of Germie Bernard and Isaiah Horton over the offseason.

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Coleman-Williams burst onto the scene as a freshman, catching two passes for 139 yards and two touchdowns in his first start in his first game of college football against Western Kentucky. The legend of the then-17-year-old only grew after Alabama upset Georgia, where Coleman-Williams caught six passes for 177 yards and two touchdowns in the 41-34 victory in Bryant-Denny Stadium, capping his performance with a 75-yard touchdown reception to retake the lead in the final minutes of the game.

Coleman-Williams had 100 receiving yards or more in two of his first four games of college football, but eclipsed the century mark in just one of the next 21 games he played, finishing his sophomore season with 49 receptions, 689 yards, and four scores in 14 game appearances for the Tide. The Crimson Tide's junior receiver has always put in the work with Alabama, though, and as he becomes an upperclassman, head coach Kalen DeBoer has seen him become more vocal as a leader on the roster.

"Well, Ryan, you may have someone that's played as many snaps as anyone on our offense. That's, again, turnover speaks to that. But he's taken that on. He's taken on a leadership role," DeBoer said. "In order to lead and be vocal like he has, it's in him. He brings an energy and an enthusiasm that you guys all see. It's nonstop. In order to do that, you have to do the work. He's always done the work. It feels like he's seeing an opportunity; he continues to raise the work, raise the level, and be efficient in it. He's always worked, I think, where he's focusing that attention is really intentional. It's great to see his leadership capabilities. Last year, I felt like he took a great step, and now it's on another level. Our team needs that, our offense needs that."

Coleman-Williams is one of three returning starters for Alabama on offense, joining sophomore tight end Kaleb Edwards and sophomore offensive tackle Michael Carroll. Williams is searching for his first 1,000-yard season with the Crimson Tide after signing with Coach DeBoer as a highly-touted five-star in the 2024 recruiting class.

Wyatt Fulton is the Tide 100.9 DME and Brand Manager, primarily covering Alabama Crimson Tide football and men's basketball. For more Crimson Tide coverage, follow Wyatt on X (Formerly known as Twitter) at @FultonW_.