As the news of Nick Saban retiring as the Alabama head coach sent shock waves through the college football world, the tremors in Tuscaloosa are already being felt. Five-star wide receiver Ryan Williams, one of the jewels of their 2024 recruiting class, announced he has de-committed from the program.
The ink wasn’t even dry on the news that legendary, seven-time national championship-winning head coach Saban had retired, when Alabama was dealt further bad news on Wednesday evening.
Saraland High WR Williams, the 10th overall ranked played in the 2024 recruiting class, will no longer join the Crimson Tide’s upcoming influx of freshman talent to Tuscaloosa.
In a statement first released by On3.com, Williams said simply:
“First off I would like to thank God, my family, and anyone else who has helped me make it to this point… but with careful consideration with my family I will be decommitting from the University of Alabama … respect my decision.”
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Although not contained within his statement, Hayes Fawcett of On3.com explained that “the departure of Coach Saban & [Alabama WR coach Holmon] Wiggins played a major factor in his decision.” Former Alabama wide receiver coach Wiggins, a key figure in Williams’ recruitment, left the Crimson Tide to take the same position at Texas A&M earlier this month.
Williams is a significant loss to an Alabama 2024 recruiting class that ranks second in the country as per 247 Sports. Although they have two four-star enrolees in Jameer Grimsley and Aeryn Hampton, Williams was viewed as the third-best pass catcher in this class. He’d been committed to the Crimson Tide for well over a year before announcing his decision to reopen his recruitment.
Although the presence of coach Wiggins at Texas A&M could see the Aggies rise as a contender to land the talented wide receiver, all signs point to Williams potentially remaining in the state of Alabama. 247Sports already has a 100% confidence crystal ball in favor of Hugh Freeze and the Auburn Tigers snagging the standout from Saraland. He has a visit to the program on Feb. 3.
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