Ryan Coleman-Williams (as the former five-star receiver is now listed on the roster) took a considerable step back after his breakout freshman year in 2024. Despite hauling in one more pass than he did the year prior, with one additional game, Coleman-Williams came up 176 receiving yards short of his first season at Alabama as a 17-year-old.
Yet, despite fleeing for a fresh start, Coleman-Williams came back to Kalen DeBoer’s program for his junior season, which could be his final in college football before leaving for the NFL. DeBoer is confident that all the 19-year-old star’s experience at such a young age is going to pay off with a resurgent 2026 season.
“He’s probably played as many snaps as anyone on our offense,” DeBoer reflected as he spoke with reporters at Alabama’s spring practice on Tuesday. “He’s taken on a leadership role, and in order to lead and be vocal like he has,” DeBoer continued, “you have to do the work, and he’s always done that.
Ryan Coleman-Williams is entering his junior season for Alabama with something to prove. 🏈🐘 #rolltide pic.twitter.com/3KqnoJitK4
— Alabama Crimson Tide | AL.com (@aldotcomTide) March 10, 2026
DeBoer went on to commend Coleman-Williams for becoming more “efficient” and “intentional” in his work as he prepares for Year 3 with the Crimson Tide. That will be vital because Alabama needs a more reliable version of its most dynamic playmaker next season.
Ryan Coleman-Williams has to take the next step for an inexperienced quarterback
After one season with Ty Simpson at the controls of the offense, DeBoer and offensive coordinator Ryan Grubb are spending the offseason evaluating Austin Mack and Keelon Russell in a QB competition. A huge part of that decision will undoubtedly be which players develop a better rapport with the Tide’s pass-catchers and particularly Coleman-Williams, who needs to be the No. 1 target in the offense.
Last season, Germie Bernard let the Tide in targets by a wide margin, and Isaiah Horton filled the role of the big-bodied X-receiver who won in the red zone and stretched the field vertically. Now, Bernard is preparing for the NFL draft, Horton is at Texas A&M, Cam Coleman is at Texas after Alabama whiffed on its pursuit of the Auburn transfer, and NC State’s Noah Rogers is settling in as the portal addition instead.
So, with all of that shuffling, Coleman-Williams is clearly the most talented pass-catcher on the roster. However, to fill that No. 1 role, whether that’s as an X on the outside, a movement Z like Bernard, a dynamic slot, or most likely all three, Coleman-Williams needs to cut down the drops. That season, his 10 drops were the third most in college football, and three more than the player with the second-most in the SEC, Florida’s Vernell Brown III.
For all his talent with the ball in his hands and as a separator, with unique quickness and body control, Coleman-Williams has never been a natural pass-catcher. He often looks very uncomfortable tracking the ball and bringing it in, far too often using his body to make catches rather than his hands.
You can only assume that when DeBoer is talking about him being more “intentional” in his work, the intention is to improve that aspect of his game. Because if he can, he’ll be one of the best receivers in the country. If he can’t, Alabama will miss Bernard and Horton badly as DeBoer and Grubb break in a new QB.