Alabama star to graduate at 19; is he on fast track to 2027 draft?

Alabama Crimson Tide wide receiver Ryan Williams. IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

Alabama WR Ryan Coleman-Williams set to graduate at 19; is he on the fast track to 2027 NFL Draft?

By Clark Dalton | Last updated Jul 22, 2026 1:18 PM ET

Alabama Crimson Tide junior wide receiver Ryan Coleman-Williams is set to have a degree before sipping on his first legal drink.

At SEC Media Days in Tampa Bay on Wednesday, Alabama head coach Kalen DeBoer said Coleman-Williams, 19, remains on track to graduate with a degree in December. After walking the stage at his graduation ceremony, the 2027 NFL Draft (scheduled April 29-May 1 in Washington) could be the next stop for the WR.

Ryan Coleman-Williams talks future at SEC Media Days

Coleman-Williams didn't tip his plans when asked if he would turn pro.

"I mean, honestly, for me, you know, I've just been focusing on getting ready for fall camp," Coleman-Williams said (h/t 247 Sports Mike Rodak). If I'm just being honest about it. But I get my degree this December, and that's super exciting for me. So really just focusing in on this season and getting my degree. After that, like you said, there will be decisions to be made. But I'm just excited for right now."

Kalen DeBoer says Alabama WR Ryan Williams will earn his undergraduate degree this December after just 2.5 years pic.twitter.com/BRMWjJUCvy
— Yahoo Sports (@YahooSports) July 22, 2026

Coleman-Williams, who will have one more year of eligibility left in 2027, may know he's not a surefire first-round pick entering this season. ESPN's Jordan Reid listed Alabama as his WR5 in his preseason draft ranking but questioned his consistency as a pass-catcher.

Ryan Coleman-Williams was asked (already!) at SEC media days if he's declaring for the 2027 NFL draft: "I mean, honestly, for me, you know, I've just been focusing on getting ready for fall camp. If I'm being just honest about it. But I get my degree this December and that's…
— Mike Rodak (@mikerodak) July 22, 2026

"After a spectacular freshman season, Coleman-Williams was highly inconsistent as a sophomore," wrote Reid. "His route-running ability and separation shined in 2025, but he struggled making routine catches."

Per Pro Football Focus, Coleman-Williams had 10 drops on 76 targets after logging seven on 87 in 2024. DeBoer indicated the WR has prioritized overcoming this problem throughout the offseason.

"Him being able to stay strong and continue to focus on what he needs to improve on and what he can control is just so impressive," the coach said, via Jonathon Hoppe of WBRC-TV in Birmingham. "He's been as locked in as you can imagine."

Alabama hopes Coleman-Williams locking in helps him recapture his freshman form when he earned a first-team All-SEC nod. He clearly has much to worry about on the field, but not as much in the classroom, as the WR remains on track to receive his valuable piece of paper.

Clark Dalton

Clark Dalton is a 2022 journalism graduate of the University of Texas at Austin. He gained experience in sports media over the past seven years — from live broadcasting and creating short films to podcasting and producing. In college, he wrote for The Daily Texan. He loves sports and enjoys hiking, kayaking and camping.

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