Five-star WR Ryan Williams Will McLelland / USA TODAY NETWORK

Alabama HC Kalen DeBoer scores first big recruiting win

Originally posted on Larry Brown Sports | By Grey Papke | Last updated 1/24/24

New Alabama head coach Kalen DeBoer got some much-needed good news on the recruiting front Wednesday.

Five-star wide receiver Ryan Williams, who had originally committed to the Crimson Tide under Nick Saban, announced Wednesday that he was one again pledging to Alabama.

Ain’t Really Leave But I’m Back !! #RollTide @AlabamaFTBL @KalenDeBoer @GrubbRyan @GoatLatia @GoSaraland @RyanMWms @Brett_Boutwell @tjkelly17 @coachTigg @SaralandSchools pic.twitter.com/w3ucf8p7Gg

— “” (@Ryanwms1) January 24, 2024

Williams had committed to Alabama over a year ago, but was the first major recruit to decommit after Saban announced his retirement earlier this month. He was strongly linked to Texas A&M upon re-opening his recruitment, but DeBoer was evidently able to re-recruit him to Alabama.

Williams is currently ranked by 247Sports as the third-best wide receiver in his class. The 6-foot wideout went to high school in Saraland, Ala.

The news comes on the heels of a number of high-profile transfers and decommitments in the wake of Saban’s retirement, even after Alabama hired DeBoer as his replacement. One school in particular has been a huge beneficiary of what is happening in Tuscaloosa. DeBoer really needed a recruiting win – if only to calm down fans – and this should help in that department.

This article first appeared on Larry Brown Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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