TUSCALOOSA, Ala. (AP) – Alabama wide receiver Ryan Williams has announced significant changes for the 2026 season, adopting a new name and jersey number.
He has hyphenated his last name to include ‘Coleman’ in honor of his mother and switched from No. 2 to No. 1, the number he wore during his high school career at Saraland.
These changes come as Williams seeks to rejuvenate his performance after a challenging previous season. The alterations aim to symbolize a fresh start and personal growth as he prepares for the upcoming football season.
Aiming for a Comeback
Ryan Williams, now known as Coleman-Williams, expressed his desire to establish a legacy in college football. He stated, “I have a legacy that I want to write. My mom is a strong part of that. She’s my best friend and the name Coleman comes from her. So just want to represent my family to the best of my ability.”
He also noted that changing his jersey number is an opportunity for a ‘hard reset,’ aiming to restore his confidence and performance on the field. “As far as my number, it’s just an opportunity to have a hard reset, make me feel like myself again and get ready for a season that doesn’t disappoint,” Coleman-Williams added.
Performance Challenges and Future Goals
Last season, Coleman-Williams struggled significantly, finishing with only one 100-yard receiving game and leading the Football Bowl Subdivision with 13 dropped passes. His overall statistics included 49 receptions for 689 yards and four touchdowns, a stark contrast to his impressive freshman year, where he recorded 45 catches for 857 yards and eight touchdowns.
Despite the challenges, he remains optimistic about the upcoming season, reflecting on the lessons learned from last year. “Not necessarily a disappointing (season), but I learned a lot of lessons,” Coleman-Williams remarked. “I’m just thankful for those lessons and thankful for the opportunity to put some better on display this season.”
Leadership and Team Dynamics
With the Alabama Crimson Tide seeking to fill a leadership void, Coleman-Williams is expected to step up as one of the team’s key offensive leaders. As one of only two returning starters on offense and the sole upperclassman, his role becomes increasingly vital, especially with a new starting quarterback and a revamped coaching staff.
Head coach Kalen DeBoer has expressed confidence in Coleman-Williams’s progress during spring practice, stating, “It feels like he’s seeing an opportunity. He continues to raise the work, raise the level and be efficient in it.”
Aiming for Offensive Success
Coleman-Williams has indicated that he feels like his former self again, stating he feels “1,000 percent” ready through the early days of practice. This is particularly significant as the Crimson Tide faces a competitive quarterback battle, and establishing rapport with the new quarterbacks is crucial.
Offensive coordinator Ryan Grubb emphasized the need to maximize Coleman-Williams’s talent, saying, “The ownership he had after the season I think is something that really stands out to me. (We need) a concerted effort on our part to make sure we’re getting him enough touches in every game.”