Ryan Williams won’t be 17 anymore when the 2025 Alabama football season begins. The Crimson Tide wide receiver, the most famous minor in college football during his true freshman year, will be facing enormous expectations as a sophomore, with a new quarterback and facing defenses that have plenty of tape on him.

On Jan. 24, 2024, Saraland five-star wide receiver Ryan William s re-committed to Alabama football, initially ending his commitment after Nick Saban's retirement. One year later, Williams, per DeBoer, has developed into one of the leaders of the Crimson Tide wide receiver room before he's reached his 18th birthday.

Alabama found something special last season with 17-year-old wide receiver Ryan Williams, as the freshman took the college football world by storm with his play throughout his first collegiate season.

Alabama Crimson Tide wide receiver Ryan Williams burst onto the college football scene in 2024, cementing himself as one of the best pass catchers in the sport. Williams is fresh off his freshman season with the Crimson Tide, where he served as the No. 1 wide receiver at just 17 years old after reclassifying to the 2024 recruiting class.

The Crimson Tide freshman led the team in receiving yards and receiving touchdowns. Where does DeBoer want to see him improve in Year 2?

Feb. 9 is Ryan Williams’ 18th birthday. The Alabama star is coming off a huge debut season in Tuscaloosa, finishing as the Crimson Tide’s top receiver. He did so at 17 years old – a reminder fans across college football heard many a time as he turned in highlight after highlight.

Alabama football did not look the same in 2024 without Nick Saban at head coach. The Crimson Tide hired former Washington coach Kalen DeBoer to take over for Saban after his shocking retirement in January 2024.