Kalen DeBoer explains Ryan William injury, what WR needs to improve

Alabama Crimson Tide wide receiver Ryan Williams. Will McLelland-Imagn Images

Kalen DeBoer explains Ryan William injury, what Alabama WR needs to improve

By Andrew Kulha | Last updated May 14, 2025 11:25 PM ET

Ryan Williams was a superstar wide receiver for the Alabama Crimson Tide as a freshman. The former five-star recruit was a highlight machine, catching 48 passes for 865 yards and eight touchdowns last season.

Much of Alabama's offensive hopes ride on Williams heading into 2025, so there was a bit of a scare at the end of spring practices.

Head coach Kalen DeBoer revealed that he suffered an injury. The exact nature of the injury was undisclosed, but it was significant enough for DeBoer to address it with the media. However, it sounds like Williams will heal quickly.

"Unfortunately, at the end of spring ball, he suffered a little bit of a ding. He'll be fine. He'll be ready to roll here this summer," DeBoer said, according to Mike Rodak of 247Sports.

Ryan Williams injury update: Alabama star WR will be 'ready to roll' this summer, Kalen DeBoer sayshttps://t.co/sjcyv9kNc1
— Bama247 (@Bama_247) May 14, 2025

It sounds like the injury has to do with conditioning and training. DeBoer seems to think more off-field training this offseason will help the 18-year-old wideout.

"Going back all the way to January, just kind of him understanding — even from last season — where he needed to get better. It's being stronger," DeBoer said. "He's just younger. The body maturing, and then him putting the work in — just being stronger, more durable, those types of things."

He checks in at 6-feet and only 175 pounds. If he can add 15 pounds of muscle over the next two seasons while keeping his explosion and athleticism, he'll find himself in the running for one of the top picks in the NFL Draft.

Andrew Kulha

Andrew Kulha is probably the only sports writer you know who also doubles as a mortician. Spooky! @KulhaSports

More must-reads: