I Will Leave For Him To Play, Alabama crimson tide Top Sensational Star Announced His Departure.
Shortly after the announcement of Nick Saban’s retirement as Alabama’s head coach, five-star wide receiver Ryan Williams disclosed to ESPN on Wednesday his decision to decommit from the Crimson Tide’s 2024 recruiting class.
Ranked as the ninth overall prospect and the third receiver in the ESPN 300 rankings, Williams, a native of Saraland, Alabama, had pledged his commitment to the Crimson Tide since October. However, the news of Saban’s retirement caught him off guard.
“I had no idea, actually,” Williams revealed to ESPN. “It’s the dead period, and I just saw all the other players transferring or declaring for the draft. I was wondering [what would happen], but I found out through Twitter [that Saban was retiring].”
Seeking confirmation, Williams contacted the Alabama coaches, who verified the departure of the legendary coach, a fact officially announced Wednesday night. Approximately an hour after the confirmation, Williams decided to decommit, opting to reassess his options.
“After Coach [Holmon] Wiggins leaving, it was already hard because it’s my position coach,” Williams explained. “But you can always find another position coach. With Coach Saban leaving, it’s like the legacy leaving. That was the cherry on top.”
Having refrained from signing a national letter of intent during the early signing period in December, Williams intended to wait until February, his birthday, to finalize his commitment. As an unsigned recruit, he retains the freedom to explore his recruitment process further.
Despite the ongoing NCAA recruiting dead period until Friday, prohibiting in-person contact with coaches and prospects, Williams has already identified potential schools of interest, having cultivated relationships with other coaches.
“Texas has always been one of my favorites because of [Steve] Sarkisian and his offense, and they’re a big contender, one of the teams that beat Alabama,” Williams noted. “They’re definitely one of the schools at the top of the list for me. Of course, Texas A&M with my receivers coach from Alabama going there, and then Auburn.”
Williams disclosed plans to visit Texas A&M over the weekend and had initially scheduled a visit to Alabama the following weekend. However, uncertainty looms over the latter visit, contingent upon Alabama’s appointment of a new coach by then.
