Ryan Grubb intends on making Alabama WR Ryan Coleman-Williams a priority in 2026

He has several obligations on his to-do list as a second-year offensive coordinator for Alabama football, but getting more production from Ryan Williams is the first task for Ryan Grubb.

Crimson Tide fans saw the former five-star entertain the masses as a freshman in 2024.

He took the world by storm in his outing versus Georgia on Saban Field at Bryant-Denny Stadium – totaling six receptions for 177 yards and a touchdown – and finished the season as a Freshman All-American, first-team All-SEC and SEC Freshman Team honoree. Williams suffered from a concussion and dropped passes in 2025, but he started looking better late in the season. He finished his sophomore year with 49 catches for 689 receiving yards and four touchdowns.

Ryan Williams through two seasons at Alabama

-97 receptions

-1,554 receiving yards

-12 touchdowns

-Three 100-plus yard receiving games

Now a junior, Williams has made some changes to leave behind a story-filled legacy at the University of Alabama.

He returned to sporting No. 1, the number that propelled him as a household name and winning Alabama’s “Mr. Football” at Saraland (Ala.) High School. Williams is also paying homage to his mother by adding the last name “Coleman” to his name. 

He goes by Ryan Coleman-Williams because of the tight-knit relationship with his mom.

He referred to her as his “best friend” during Thursday’s media availability for student-athletes. Coleman-Williams has lofty goals for himself, but it all starts with the ball in his hands. Ryan Grubb knows his No. 1 weapon had a tough season last year; however, he feels the dangerous playmaker is in for a remarkable bounce back session.

“I think for Ryan, it is to let the game come to him,” Grubb said Thursday. “He is so naturally talented, a hard worker, and a great kid. The ownership he had after the season is something that really stood out to me.”