Alabama huge receiver Ryan Williams will enter the 2026 season with a brand new quantity, a brand new identify and, maybe, an opportunity to reset. The rising junior was listed on a social media submit from Yea Alabama, the college’s NIL program, as Ryan Coleman-Williams, which contains his mom’s final identify, Tiffany Coleman. He may also change from No. 2 to No. 1 — the quantity he wore in highschool — when the Crimson Tide start spring observe Sunday.
Coleman-Williams hinted on the identify change late final season. During Alabama’s win over Tennessee in October, he wore the names “Coleman” and “Williams” written throughout his eye black.
“It’s both of my last names,” he mentioned afterward. “I just wanted to represent. That’s pretty much it.”
The jersey change additionally carries a little bit of familiarity. Coleman-Williams starred in No. 1 at Saraland High in Alabama, the place he emerged as a five-star recruit and some of the coveted prospects within the 2024 class.
At Alabama, his profession has unfolded extra erratically.
Coleman-Williams arrived in Tuscaloosa early and burst onto the nationwide scene as a 17-year-old freshman in 2024. He completed that season with 48 receptions for 865 yards and eight touchdowns, together with a stretch of 5 early video games during which he averaged 109 yards per sport. His 177-yard efficiency towards then-No. 2 Georgia rapidly turned him into considered one of college football’s breakout stars.
However, the momentum did not fairly carry over to his sophomore marketing campaign.
In 2025, Coleman-Williams nonetheless completed second on the staff with 49 receptions and 689 yards receiving, however consistency proved elusive. His drop price climbed to 16.9%, among the many highest marks for qualifying FBS receivers, and the explosive manufacturing that outlined his freshman begin turned much less frequent.
Ryan Williams profession receiving stats
2025 | 14 | 76 | 49 | 689 | 4 | 16.9% |
2024 | 13 | 87 | 48 | 865 | 8 | 12.7% |
Now, Year 3 may convey a bigger function … and a clear slate. Alabama misplaced two of its prime receivers from final season, with Germie Bernard headed to the NFL Draft and Isaiah Horton transferring to Texas A&M. Horton’s departure opened up No. 1, which Coleman-Williams rapidly claimed.
Alabama coach Kalen DeBoer has expressed confidence that Coleman-Williams can bounce again heading into his junior season.
“I think he’s going to have a big year ahead,” DeBoer mentioned in January. “I’m excited to begin to get to work with him here in the offseason, correct the things that we feel are correctable, and him continue to grow. He’ll have a big year.”
Coleman-Williams may also be working with a brand new place coach this spring. Alabama employed former Auburn offensive coordinator Derrick Nix as its huge receivers coach this offseason after JaMarcus Shephard left this system to develop into the brand new coach at Oregon State.
