Ryan Williams news
Archived — this story has rotated out of today’s deck. It is kept here in full.
The gist
Alabama receiver Ryan Coleman-Williams signed a Nike NIL deal and had 130 yards against East Carolina.
His drops history and new name make him the Tide's most-watched target before Kentucky.
Background
Coleman-Williams, previously known simply as Ryan Williams, is a former five-star recruit in his third season at Alabama. He added his mother's last name, Coleman, as a tribute to her and switched from No. 2 to No. 1, the number he wore in high school. He led all of college football in drops (13) last season, then spent the offseason catching hundreds of passes a day and decided to stop wearing gloves.
How it unfolded
- 2024Ryan Coleman-Williams arrived in Tuscaloosa and became one of college football's biggest names almost immediately; eight of his touchdowns came in his true freshman season.
- Before this seasonHe added his mother's last name, Coleman, to his own as a tribute to her, and switched from No. 2 to No. 1, the number he wore in high school.
- Sep 5, 2026In Alabama's 48-10 win against East Carolina, Coleman-Williams posted 130 yards on five receptions; he dropped his first two passes of the season.
- Sep 8, 2026Alabama receiver Derek Meadows defended Coleman-Williams before the Kentucky game, and al.com's Goodman column asked whether Coleman-Williams should wear gloves.
- Sep 9, 2026On3 reported Coleman-Williams has 102 career catches for 1,684 yards and 12 touchdowns, averaging 16.5 yards per reception.
- Sep 10, 2026Alabama WR Ryan Coleman-Williams announced career news after the East Carolina game; a sophomore Alabama wide receiver stood up for him.
- Tuesday (date unknown)Williams announced he signed a deal with Nike to join the Blue Ribbon Elite NIL roster.
- Sep 12, 2026Alabama is set to face Kentucky at 2:30 p.m. CT on ESPN at Kroger Field; Alabama enters ranked No. 12 in the AP Top 25.
Who’s saying what
- Support
- Derek Meadows praised Coleman-Williams for his focused mentality and ability to respond to adversity, and said the receiving corps is doing a "helluva job" blocking.
- Caution
- al.com columnist Goodman asked whether Coleman-Williams should wear gloves, noting he dropped his first two passes of the season after leading all of college football in drops (13) last year, and questioned whether he can be trusted on crucial plays.
- Official
- Nike said Blue Ribbon Elite "reimagines the NIL space by providing leading athletes and universities an unmatched level of collaboration that prioritizes the future of sport and athlete identity."
Still unverified
Alabama injury status ahead of Kentucky: running back AK Dear and defensive back Jireh Edwards listed as questionable; wide receiver Noah Rogers remains out; starting right guard Michael Carroll listed as doubtful on Wednesday's SEC availability report.