While it wasn't the most well-kept rumor in college football recuiting, the news of one of the top juniors in America making the move to the senior class still creates a large ripple effect in the process.
Saraland (Ala.) High School star and reigning Mr. Football Ryan Williams went public with his decision to move from the class of 2025 to the 2024 cycle on Monday. The longtime Alabama commitment, on board with Nick Saban for more than a year, is fresh off of a dominant junior season in leading SHS back to the state championship game, where he found the end zone four times on Friday night.
Williams was back in Tuscaloosa over the weekend for his latest look at the program. He was at rival Auburn weeks earlier for the memorable Iron Bowl game between the in-state programs.
*****
FINAL 2023 TEAM RANKINGS: Comprehensive (overall) ranking | High school/JUCO ranking | Transfer portal ranking
CLASS OF 2024 RANKINGS: Rivals250 | Team | Position | State
CLASS OF 2025 RANKINGS: Rivals250 | Team | Position | State
CLASS OF 2026 RANKINGS: Rivals100
TRANSFER PORTAL: Latest news | Transfer search | Transfer tracker/player ranking (football) | Transfer team ranking (football) | Transfer tracker/player ranking (basketball) | Transfer team ranking (basketball) | Rivals Portal Twitter
*****
What it meansÂ
Williams immediately becomes a five-star candidate for the 2024 class on Rivals, maintaining his high rating just like another elite prospect who made the move from 2025 to 2024 in pass rusher Armondo Blount. Williams may have an even higher floor, though, coming into college as one of the most productive offensive weapons in the country regardless of class or position.
Since the start of the 2022 season, Williams has amassed 160 catches for just under 3,000 yards and 43 touchdowns. He added another 1,000 yards and 22 scores as a rusher and even threw multiple touchdown passes in addition to returning kicks and punts for six. He has proved just as dominant against out-of-state competition, too, including last offseason at various national events like the Future 50 event.
For Alabama, the 2024 class earns another high mark in its push up the top 10 of the team rankings. UA has a lot of targets still in the crosshairs down the home stretch of the cycle, but retaining Williams and that potentially becoming official next Wednesday would represent as large an addition as any other senior target remaining. The current class, ranked seventh before Williams made his move, has one other five-star currently on board in quarterback Julian Sayin. The reclassification will represent UA's second highest-ranked recruit to date in all likelihood.
Williams also instantly reinforces UA's pass catcher class, standing as the third projected wide receiver in addition to Amari Jefferson and Rico Scott. Two tight ends are also on board in Caleb Odom and Jay Lindsey.
Could there be more to Williams' recruitment?
We'll keep this offering short. Williams has been on board with UA for well over one year and has maintained his solidity to Saban and company at every opportunity in his own words, even pitching Alabama to other top recruits like his prep quarterback KJ Lacey.
Still, Auburn has hosted him several times since Hugh Freeze took over and the Tigers have long looked like the top threat to Alabama should a change of heart take place. Texas, LSU, USC and other programs have also worked to earn a puncher's chance with the star wideout, but it would be an upset if he attended college outside of his home state.
Williams' father played in the Auburn secondary so there is plenty of familiarity of the program within the household. A final decision will be public next Wednesday, as Rivals is told Williams will sign during the first day of the Early Signing Period.
