Alabama Crimson Tide head coach Kalen DeBoer. Matt Pendleton-Imagn Images

Alabama lands commitment of standout WR who's drawn Julio Jones comparisons

By Andrew Kulha | Last updated Jul 1, 2025 8:57 PM ET

Kalen DeBoer and the Alabama Crimson Tide are heating up on the recruiting trail. In fact, things are looking so good for 2026 that it may feel to some like Nick Saban is still pulling the strings in Tuscaloosa.

The Crimson Tide are on a hot streak. They landed nine commitments in the month of June, and now they've picked up another one on the first day of July.

It's a very intriguing commitment as well. Brian Williams Jr. is only ranked as a three-star wide receiver, but at 6-foot-4, he has elite size for a wideout. He also received several big-time offers, so plenty of schools had him on their radar.

Despite an interest list that includes Penn State and Florida, an official visit to Alabama in early June sealed the deal for Williams.

He announced his commitment on Tuesday.

BREAKING: Class of 2026 WR Brian Williams Jr. has Committed to Alabama, he tells me for @rivals

The 6’4 195 WR from Orlando, FL chose the Crimson Tide over Penn State, Florida, & Notre Dame

“God is good, Blitz Bama Blitz!!”https://t.co/LAOOwys21k pic.twitter.com/aIl1x9xL2W
— Hayes Fawcett (@Hayesfawcett3) July 1, 2025

Williams also had official visits scheduled for Notre Dame and Kentucky for later this summer, but those are off now that he's committed to Alabama.

The Crimson Tide put on a full-court press during the official visit. He met with DeBoer as well as wide receivers coach and co-offensive coordinator JaMarcus Shephard.

"They’re going to set me up to take me far," he told John Garcia Jr. of Rivals.

The Crimson Tide even made a big-time comparison for Williams.

"They even compare me to Julio Jones. I’ve heard it before, but this one meant something to me. That’s my favorite receiver, so it feels good," he said.

Jones was a big and fast wideout just like Williams. However, Jones was a heralded five-star recruit. Williams is coming in a bit under the radar, but Alabama clearly likes what it sees in him.

According to the 247Sports Composite, Williams is the No. 118 wideout in the country. He's now the 16th commitment to DeBoer's top-10-ranked 2026 class.

Andrew Kulha

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

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