Alabama football needed someone to play hero, quickly.
Georgia, having trailed most of the game, took the lead with 2:31 left at Bryant-Denny Stadium this past Saturday. The Crimson Tide had blown a 30-7 advantage from the first half, falling behind 34-33. The Alabama offense had largely sputtered in the second half, but somehow, it needed to answer. The Bulldogs had taken over.
Or so they thought.
“A play don’t care who make it,” freshman receiver Ryan Williams said. “I was like, why not me?”
The first play of the ensuing drive, Williams mixed a catch and spin move together, dashing to the end zone for a 75-yard touchdown. As a result, the Crimson Tide beat then-No. 2 Georgia 41-34. The play marked Williams’ fifth touchdown in four games.
Before Williams could reach the sideline after the score, he was greeted on the 1-yard line with a back-slapping hug from Bob Welton.
Alabama’s director of player personnel beamed, and for good reason. A moment such as this looked far from a certainty back in January.
Before JaMarcus Shephard could even land in Tuscaloosa for his new job, Welton called Alabama’s new receivers coach.
But again, just as a reminder, get Ryan Williams back on the team.
It was that important. Williams had been the signature piece in Alabama’s 2024 recruiting class. The 247Sports Composite ranked the two-time Mr. Football winner from Saraland the No. 4 player in the country for 2024. Williams had been committed to Alabama for about 1½ years, but Nick Saban’s retirement shook up everything. Williams de-committed that night.
One of the nation’s top recruits had become available about a month before national signing day.
Recruiting Ryan Williams: The first time
Welton often heard a similar refrain in Mobile.
This kid, since he’s been 7 years old, has been the best player in the area.
Williams piqued Alabama’s interest as a freshman. His proximity to UA put him on the radar early.
“He was kind of a young looking, scrawny looking kid,” Welton said.
Alabama couldn’t help but notice Williams’ speed, though.
“We knew early on he was a kid we wanted,” Welton said. “From his freshman year, and really by his sophomore year, we said, ‘OK, this kid is pretty special.’”
The June before Williams’ sophomore year, the Crimson Tide became the 10th school to offer. He already held offers from the likes of Tennessee, Ole Miss and Michigan; Auburn gave him another in September 2022. By Oct. 8, Williams committed to Alabama.
The flood of offers continued. Texas A&M joined the mix a few days later. Everyone from Georgia and Texas to Miami and LSU offered over the next year. In total, Williams landed about 25. He kept in touch with Welton throughout his visits. Williams always updated Welton on each stop.
Hey, I’m still good. We’re good. I’m coming to Alabama.
“He has always been an Alabama fan, and I think he’s always wanted to come here, even from an early age,” Welton said. “I don’t think that ever changed.”
Williams’ father, Ryan Williams Sr., had spent time on the team at Auburn. However, Welton didn’t feel that had much effect, as the elder Williams’ time on the Plains was short.
“I know people tried to play that way, but I think his dad is a football guy,” Welton said. “I think he knew what was best for his kid.”
Everything was lining up for Williams to play for Alabama, and earlier than expected. Williams approached Welton about graduating a year early, reclassifying from 2025 to the 2024 class. So, Welton worked with Saraland coach Jeff Kelly and then-principal Brent Harrison to make it possible. Williams announced his decision to reclassify Dec. 11, 2023.
A month later, Saban retired.
The impact of Nick Saban’s retirement
The news of Saban’s retirement broke at 4:06 p.m. CT on Jan. 10. By 5:47 p.m., Williams de-committed. Immediately, Welton FaceTimed Williams.
“That was probably the only time in the process where you didn’t feel like we were in good shape because he wasn’t necessarily telling me, ‘I’m good, I’m good,’” Welton said.
The decision stung Jaylen Mbakwe, a close friend of Williams and a freshman cornerback who had enrolled early at Alabama.
“It was just hard on me,” Mbakwe said. “When he de-committed, I felt like a piece of me was gone already.”
Welton understood Williams’ decision, even if Welton didn’t like it. He felt the uncertainty, too. What (and who) was going to come next?
“It was just to go check my options,” Williams said recently. “Coach Saban had retired. That was my head coach. My receivers coach (left). So it was just a matter of making sure.”
Two days later, Alabama hired Washington’s Kalen DeBoer to replace Saban. As soon as DeBoer and general manager Courtney Morgan got off the plane at the Tuscaloosa airport, Williams said they were calling him. Welton called too.
Hey man, they produce receivers.
Rome Odunze, Jalen McMillan and Ja’Lynn Polk, to name a few. Williams had noticed.
Oh man, I’ve been watching them on video and highlights.
Having seen Washington in the College Football Playoff, Williams noted how explosive the Washington offense was. Also, Williams had already been introduced to the possibility of playing for Shephard earlier in January.
Holmon Wiggins left the Alabama staff to coach receivers for Texas A&M following the Rose Bowl. One candidate Saban interviewed to replace Wiggins: JaMarcus Shephard.
Welton told Williams about the interview.
Hey, we like this guy. Interviewed this guy. He’s really good.
“I knew Ryan,” Welton said. “It was just his kind of coach.”
The business trip
Alabama had to nail the official visit, set for the weekend of Jan. 20.
“If that doesn’t go well, he may not come here,” Welton said. “Probably doesn’t.”
Williams had visited Texas A&M the weekend DeBoer was hired. Around that time, Williams still had visits scheduled to Texas and Auburn, too. The Tigers were set to play host to Williams last.
“He went to A&M because coach Wiggins,” Welton said. “He had a relationship with coach. I know this: I think that was the runner up to be honest with you. I don’t know if it was Auburn. I think it was A&M because of the relationship with coach Wiggins.”
Williams had already met with DeBoer before Shephard arrived. That conversation went well, Williams told Shephard. But …
I want to know who the guy is that’s going to be coaching me every day.
Shephard, that’s your cue.
The receivers coach sat with Williams and his family in a room during the official visit. Shephard discussed previous academic success his receivers had experienced. He shared how he can help Williams grow spiritually. Shepherd talked of true freshmen who’ve had success under him. Shephard explained what each season would look like for Williams.
“Telling him specifically what I want to do for him,” Shephard said.
Nothing was made official that weekend, but Shephard’s message clearly resonated with Williams.
You pretty much hit all the things I needed to hear.
Williams wasn’t interested as much in fluff. He didn’t care that much about the meals or the steaks or going out for a good time.
“It was a business trip for him to decide and make a decision about if Alabama was still the place for him,” Shephard said.
Williams wanted substance, and Shephard delivered.
“The J does stand for juice in Jamarcus,” Williams said in September. “He is full of energy, and he don’t need no coffee to start it … He impacts the receiver more than pretty much any other coach I’ve been a part of.”
Shephard had plenty of help on the official visit: DeBoer, Welton, Morgan, staffers Carrigan Johnson, Ashleigh Kimble, Denzel Devall, Josh Chapman, among others.
“Everybody that came around him that weekend re-sold him on the place,” Welton said.
Alabama also had an ace recruiter no other school did: Mbakwe.
The Clay-Chalkville product became what Welton described as “the hidden factor.” Mbakwe, a five-star prospect himself, had been a reliable resource. Welton could always call Mbakwe to make sure Alabama was still in a good position for Williams.
“A&M couldn’t say it,” Welton said. “Auburn, he knew some people there, but not like (Mbakwe). I thought Jaylen has always been a quiet piece to this whole thing.”
We’ve got to play together.
Williams agreed. After the Alabama weekend, he canceled an upcoming visit to Texas. Same for the Auburn one. He shut down his recruitment and committed to the Crimson Tide on Jan. 24. By Feb. 7, Williams officially signed with Alabama.
The Crimson Tide had gained a transcendent player. Alabama also made clear that elite recruiting wasn’t retiring with Saban. The Crimson Tide wasn’t going anywhere either, but that message wasn’t sent on Feb. 7.
