Ryan Williams Shuts Down Transfer Rumors, Reaffirms Commitment to Alabama for 2026
Alabama wide receiver Ryan Williams isn’t going anywhere. The sophomore standout made it crystal clear this week: he’s staying in Tuscaloosa for the 2026 season and won’t be entering the transfer portal.
“Of course. I’m Alabama through and through.
I have no intentions of being anywhere else,” Williams told reporters on Tuesday. When asked directly about the portal?
“Nah,” he replied without hesitation.
It’s a big statement from a player who’s had a rollercoaster of a sophomore campaign. Williams came to Alabama as a blue-chip recruit with sky-high expectations, and while the flashes of brilliance have absolutely been there, so have the struggles-particularly with drops.
Through the first round of the College Football Playoff, Williams has been credited with 13 drops this season, bringing his career total to 17. That puts him near the top of an unfortunate list-only two FBS receivers, Hawaii’s Pofele Ashlock and Arkansas State’s Corey Rucker, have more drops since 2024.
But here’s the thing: when Williams is locked in, he’s electric. His ability to create after the catch is elite, and few receivers in the country can match his burst in the open field.
Despite the inconsistency, he’s still managed to haul in 43 passes for 636 yards and four touchdowns over 13 games this season. That production, while a step down from his freshman year totals of 48 catches, 865 yards, and eight scores in the same number of games, still reflects the kind of impact player he is.
The drops are real, but so is the talent. And Alabama knows it.
Head coach Kalen DeBoer and the Crimson Tide staff have continued to show faith in Williams, leaning on his big-play potential as they push deeper into the College Football Playoff. With his return now confirmed for 2026, Alabama isn’t just getting back a starting receiver-they're getting back a game-changer who still has the tools to be one of the top wideouts in college football.
For Williams, the message is simple: he’s not running from the adversity. He’s running it back in crimson and white.