Respect to Nick Saban, Tight Slap to Kalen DeBoer: Ryan Williams Alabama Exit Indirectly Strikes a Below-the-Belt Note for New HC

Former Alabama HC Nick Saban didn’t just leave by himself when he retired. He took several players with him, not literally, but many of them retired after learning their legendary coach would be no more. And 5-star commit Ryan Williams became the first elite player to de-commit from the Crimson Tide. 

It might be seen as a huge blow for former Washington HC Kalen DeBoer who joined Alabama as the new HC with so many players leaving upon his arrival. Williams is one of those players who pushed the new HC under the bus with his departure. But the tide is changing and it brought him back to where he was originally committed. 

Ryan Williams’ respect for Saban becomes a blow to DeBoer

When Nick Saban retired from his head coaching duties in college football, 5-star WR Ryan Williams made the first major departure, which in itself is a slap to Alabama’s new HC Kalen DeBoer. He recently appeared in a video clip on Twitter talking about the former Alabama HC saying, “I wouldn’t want to play for any other head coach, other than Coach Saban.”

Ryan Williams committed to Alabama in October but has yet to sign his letter of intent which he intends to do in February on National Signing Day. But with Nick Saban suddenly retiring after his 17 years at Alabama, he got caught up in a dilemma after learning on Twitter that Saban is leaving. Williams, who decommitted about an hour later after confirming the news, told ESPN that Saban’s retirement was “like the legacy leaving.” 

Ryan Williams recommits to Alabama after his departure

For Williams, nothing might have been as good as Alabama for him to thrive at his receiver position. Not even a month after his decommitment and his visits to Auburn and Texas A&M, he found his way back to the Crimson Tide. And a talk with Kalen DeBoer and OC Ryan Grubb seemed to have revived his hope and confidence in joining Alabama. 

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Ryan Williams is the No. 3 WR and No. 8 overall player in the 2024 recruiting cycle. In his high school career, he accounted for 187 catches, 3,254 receiving yards, and 48 receiving touchdowns. He also recorded 94 rushing attempts, 1,078 rushing yards, and 24 rushing touchdowns. Williams is expected to join the Crimson Tide this summer.

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