Outstanding wide receiver Ryan Williams wasn’t able to play for Alabama in Week 2 after a rough Week 1 performance. With Kalen DeBoer embattled at ‘Bama and the offense going on through other receivers, it’s not inconceivable that Williams could choose to spend the next season with another team to prepare him for the NFL Draft in 2027.
Williams had a flashy but uneven freshman season under Kalen DeBoer in 2024. Williams finished with 48 catches for 865 yards and eight touchdowns. But after shining early, Williams didn’t top 53 yards in any of Alabama’s last six games. He only caught one touchdown in that run. He opened 2025 with another dozy game, finishing with five catches for 30 yards in the loss to Florida State.
Williams has a reasonable basis for considering a move. If he did elect to transfer out, here are five possible schools where he might choose to move.
Five Potential Transfer Spots for Ryan Williams
Auburn
The Tigers drew serious consideration from Williams. They recruited him heavily during the period when Nick Saban left Alabama and Kalen DeBoer was hired. He even took an official visit to Auburn after he had committed to Alabama. Given the improvement of the Tigers this season, a big-play wide receiver would certainly seem to have a ton of opportunities in the Auburn offense. The Tigers are a potential spot for Williams.
Texas A&M
Williams took an official visit to College Station during his recruitment. The Aggies seem to be a team building around QB Marcel Reed, who will be back next season. A&M greatly improved their wide receiver room in this offseason, but there’s still room for Williams to get some playing time for the Aggies if he chooses to go that route. A&M should be a nationally competitive squad with a nice passing game to possibly feature Williams.
LSU
The Tigers were another finalist for Williams in his initial recruitment. The Tigers are in a better position than the Tide in the young season and have been one of the most aggressive transfer portal recruiting squads in the nation. Garrett Nussmeier will be moving on, but Brian Kelly’s teams generally lean heavily on the passing game, and he’s been more successful in establishing big-play offenses than the Alabama staff to date.
Georgia
Early in his recruitment, Williams took an unofficial visit to Georgia. Kirby Smart’s team tends to be elite in all facets, but they have struggled a bit in grabbing top wide receivers recently. This season seems to be an improvement over last season, but unlike most of the teams on this list, Georgia likely has a legitimate need for a big-play receiver. That could make the Bulldogs a significant factor in a potential re-recruitment of Williams.
Miami
Mario Cristobal’s program could be an attractive destination. Williams had some interest in Miami back in his high school days. Meanwhile, Cristobal has brought flash and pizazz back to one of the most interesting historical programs in the nation. Cristobal’s teams haven’t been shy about featuring big-play standouts. Miami had enough flash to get Cam Ward picked No. 1. It might be a solid landing spot for Williams.
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