“He can make short throws, faster routes, and down the field when he gets the ball in his hands. He is excellent in every manner.
In a radio interview on Tuesday afternoon, Kalen DeBoer showed Ryan Williams, the 5-star receiver and Alabama signee, some ridiculously high praise.
In an interview with The Game on Tide 100.9, DeBoer said, “He’s one of the most dynamic guys I have ever seen at receiver.”
Of course, Williams is the blue-chip recruit from Saraland who committed to Alabama under Nick Saban’s coaching staff. After Saban retired last month, Williams de-committed, re-committed, and signed shortly after DeBoer took over as head coach.
After reclassifying from the 2025 class, the 6-foot-1, 165-pound receiver is ranked as the eighth overall prospect and the third overall receiver in the 2024 class. This month, he turned 17 years old.
DeBoer gave Rome Odunze, Ja’Lynn Polk, and Jalen McMillan, three future NFL Draft picks who attended Washington in 2023, high praise.
With 92 receptions for 1,640 receiving yards and 13 touchdowns, Odunze concluded the season with high marks. At the national level, his 109.3 receiving yards per game ranked fourth. He is regularly predicted to go in the top-10 of the 2024 NFL Draft, which is scheduled for Detroit, Michigan, from April 25–27.
McMillan had 49 receptions for 559 yards and 5 touchdowns, while Polk finished with 69 catches for 1,159 yards and 9 touchdowns.
Both are anticipated to be selected in the second or third rounds of the upcoming draft and are regarded as top-100 prospects.
One aspect of playing for DeBoer at Alabama that thrilled Williams was their production in Washington’s offense.
DeBoer is a huge fan of Williams’ physical attributes, such as his quickness, spatial awareness, ability to create plays, and so forth, but his football IQ really stood out to him.
In his Tuesday radio interview, DeBoer said, “When you talk to him, he reiterates what he hears.” “I find it astounding how much he comprehends and can explain back to you what was said. I can’t wait to mentor him more.
“He’s a guy who just wants to enjoy every moment and is searching for this growth mindset. In terms of their relationship, he and receivers coach JaMarcus Shephard have already established a strong tag team. From here on, it’s only going to get better.”
In three seasons, Williams totaled over 4,600 all-purpose yards and 71 touchdowns. He guided Saraland to the 6A state championship game in 2023 and the state championship in 2022. He is the first athlete in history to receive two Mr. Football awards from Alabama.
“I believe he’s the kind of player you try to involve yourself in as much as you can,” Director of Scouting at 247Sports Andrew Ivins previously told Bama247.
It sounds like DeBoer intends to do it.
