Saraland 5-star wide receiver Ryan Williams decommits from Alabama

Saraland 5-star wide receiver and reigning Mr. Football Ryan Williams has decommitted from Alabama following the news of Nick Saban’s retirement from the school.

Williams confirmed the news to AL.com on Wednesday night.

“It’s about the departure of coach Saban and the receivers coach (Holmon Wiggins),” Williams said. “Of course, it’s a hard decision. I don’t really want to do it, but I have to explore my options and see what happens before Feb. 9.”

Williams, the two-time Gatorade Alabama Player of the Year, has said he will sign on his 17th birthday next month. He said he had no idea about Saban’s retirement until the news broke.

“I couldn’t talk to him, so I knew nothing about it,” Williams said. “I found out when everyone else found out. I was shocked. I didn’t believe it and then I saw it on official pages and I was like, ‘Oh, this is real.’”

Williams said he was “still keeping (Alabama) in the equation until proving otherwise.” He committed to the the Tide on Oct. 8, 2022.

He also said he still plans to visit the Crimson Tide on Jan. 20. He has scheduled visits to Texas on Jan. 27 and Auburn on Feb. 2. He also told AL.com on Wednesday that he has added a visit to Texas A&M this weekend.

Williams jumped to No. 1 on AL.com’s A-List of top senior prospects in the state after he announced his reclassification last month. He is No. 2 on the 247 composite rankings and On3 industry rankings of the top seniors in the state behind Auburn signee Cam Coleman of Central-Phenix City.

Williams will be in Montgomery on Tuesday for the Alabama Sports Writers Association Player of the Year Banquet. He is one of three finalists for Class 6A Back of the Year along with teammate KJ Lacey and Alabama signee and Clay-Chalkville star Jaylen Mbakwe.

Williams is the reigning 6A Back of the Year and the reigning Mr. Football in the state.