DeBoer Heaps Praise on Saraland Native Ryan Williams: ‘You’ll Never Question the Work Ethic’

May 18, 2026 Michael Brauner Alabama, Alabama, Featured News
LOS ANGELES, CA - NOVEMBER 04: Washington Huskies head coach Kalen DeBoer during the college football game between the Washington Huskies and the USC Trojans on November 04, 2023, at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in Los Angeles, CA.(Photo by Jevone Moore/Icon Sportswire)

Headed into the 2026 season, the Alabama Crimson Tide is going to be relying on both new and old talent to get the maximum out of their offense, and when it comes to the wide receiver group, no one is a better example than Ryan Coleman-Williams.

Coming off an electric freshman year as a 17-year-old, Williams struggled to match that same production as a sophomore and suffered from some drop issues and inconsistency. Though, headed into junior year, it sounds like he has the full confidence of the locker room and coaching staff.

Kalen DeBoer talked about what the last year has been like for Williams and doubled down on the fact that he loves him as a player and believes he is going to bounce back.

“What he’s done, he knows what it’s supposed to look like, he knows what it feels like, he’s been there, he’s worked extremely hard,” DeBoer said before saying his young receiver has not listened to the media criticism he’s received. “Ryan has been Ryan. Ryan works and you are never going to question the work ethic, the character the personality. He’s as competitive as anyone you’re gonna find. Our team just loves that about him.”

“What he’s done as a leader…he’s in the weight room and he can lead the charge, he’s here this whole month of May…Our guys are away from school for the most part, there’s a couple weeks where they do get that one time of year to get away. Guess who’s here? Ryan Coleman-Williams. I’m excited about what that future looks like,” DeBoer said.

It’s a huge year for Williams, and if Alabama is going to accomplish its goals, he is going to be a massive reason as to why.