During a radio appearance on Tuesday afternoon, Kalen DeBoer heaped praise on Ryan Williams, a 5-star receiver and Alabama signee.
“He’s one of the most dynamic guys I have ever seen at receiver,” DeBoer remarked on Tide 100.9’s The Game. “With the ball in his hands, he can run short throws and quicker routes, as well as down the field. He’s terrific in all ways.”
Williams, of course, is the blue-chip recruit from Saraland who pledged to Alabama when Nick Saban was the coach, de-committed after Saban departed last month, then recommitted and eventually signed shortly after DeBoer was chosen as Saban’s successor.
The 6-foot-1, 165-pound receiver is ranked as the No. 8 overall talent in the 2024 class and the No. 3 overall receiver — after reclassifying from 2025. He turned seventeen earlier this month.
DeBoer’s strong rating is remarkable, given that he coached three potential NFL Draft prospects at Washington in 2023: Rome Odunze, Ja’Lynn Polk, and Jalen McMillan.
Odunze concluded the season with 92 receptions, 1,640 receiving yards, and 13 touchdowns. His 109.3 receiving yards per game ranked fourth nationally. He is frequently anticipated to be among the top ten picks in the 2024 NFL Draft, which will take place in Detroit on April 25-27.
Polk finished with 69 catches for 1,159 yards and 9 touchdowns, while McMillan had 49 receptions for 559 yards and 5 touchdowns. Both are regarded top-100 talents for the 2018 draft and are expected to be selected in the second or third round.
One of the reasons Williams was excited to play for DeBoer at Alabama was their production in Washington’s offence.
“It’s definitely one of the best decisions I have ever made in my life,” Williams remarked last month. “Coach DeBoer believes in me.” I believe in the new system, and I know the Tide will keep doing what it does.”
DeBoer admires Williams’ physical tools — his speed, spatial awareness, playmaking ability, and so on — but his football IQ stands out the most.
“When you talk to him, he reiterates what he hears,” DeBoer said in a radio interview on Tuesday. “It amazes me how much he processes and can explain back to you what has been said. I’m just thrilled to be coaching him.
“He’s a guy who wants to grow and will take advantage of any opportunity. He and (receivers coach JaMarcus Shephard) have already built a solid tag team chemistry. “Onward and upward from here.”
In three seasons, Williams scored 71 total touchdowns and accumulated over 4,600 all-purpose yards. He guided Saraland to the 2022 and 2023 6A state championships. He is the first player in Alabama history to be named Mr. Football twice.
“I think he’s the type of talent you try to get involved with in every single way possible,” 247Sports’ Director of Scouting Andrew Ivins previously told Bama247.
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