Ryan Coleman-Williams Poised for Breakout Season as Kalen DeBoer Praises His Loyalty to Alabama

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As Alabama prepares for the 2026 season, one of the biggest storylines surrounding the Crimson Tide is the quarterback competition. With Ty Simpson now gone, Alabama will have a new signal-caller under center this fall.

Whoever wins that job, however, will have a proven weapon waiting for him in wide receiver Ryan Coleman-Williams.

The former five-star recruit enters his third season in Tuscaloosa after putting together two productive years to begin his college career. Coleman-Williams burst onto the scene as a freshman, hauling in 865 receiving yards and eight touchdowns. While his numbers dipped to 689 yards and four scores last season, Alabama head coach Kalen DeBoer believes the talented wideout is positioned for a major year in 2026.

Speaking recently, DeBoer made it clear that what stands out most about Coleman-Williams isn't just what he does between the lines.

“It’s crazy to think that he’s already in Year 3,” DeBoer said of Ryan Coleman-Williams. “Time’s flown by. I guess first thing I want to say is how proud I am of what he is also off the field, not just on the field. That’s what everyone sees, but he’s a guy that’s going to have his degree by the end of December. That’s two and a half years.

“He’s full-fledged in the school work. Spring, fall and even right now in the summer.”

That commitment away from football has helped make Coleman-Williams one of Alabama's most respected players inside the locker room. According to DeBoer, the veteran receiver has become a leader that teammates look to for guidance and consistency.

“From a leadership standpoint, he is out front and center with the team,” DeBoer said. “He’s a voice. He’s one that guys count on. He’s a great teammate. And then just as far as your question, just with the portal and him sticking around, man, I think he made that commitment when he came. He’s a guy that just stands by his word. I know that there’s a lot of opportunities that probably have come across his plate in one way or another.”

In today's college football landscape, where players frequently enter the transfer portal in search of bigger opportunities, Coleman-Williams has remained committed to Alabama.

That loyalty has not gone unnoticed by his head coach.

And despite what some may view as a statistical step back in 2025, it's important to remember that nearly 700 receiving yards would be considered a career year for many receivers across the country. For Coleman-Williams, it felt more like a season that left plenty of room for growth.

With a new quarterback set to take over and Alabama looking for playmakers to emerge, Coleman-Williams appears ready to take on an even larger role in the offense.

DeBoer certainly believes the best is still ahead.

“I just appreciate who he is as a person and what he wants to do here at Alabama,” DeBoer said. “So looking forward to him building on what he’s done already in the spring and the summer leading into a great fall.”

If DeBoer is right, Ryan Coleman-Williams could be one of the biggest stars in the SEC by season's end and a key piece of Alabama's championship aspirations in 2026.

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