Tide Turning Back? Amid Sea Of Portal Losses In Wake Of Nick Saban Retirement, Alabama Regains Commitment From Top WR

Just when you thought it was safe to go back in the water because of recruiting shark Nick Saban's retirement from coaching and recruiting, Alabama new football coach Kalen DeBoer has shown some bite.

DeBoer digested a hard weekend of re-recruiting a top prospect from his newfound backyard on Wednesday night. He gained a re-commitment from the nation's No. 3 wide receiver. Ryan "Hollywood" Williams of Saraland, Alabama in the talent-rich Mobile area said he was headed back to Alabama on his X account.

Williams (6-0, 165 pounds) said he had never really left. But legions of Alabama fans went into full panic mode when he decommitted not long after Saban announced his retirement from Alabama on Jan. 10.

Alabama Coach Kalen DeBoer Adds Ryan Williams Key Losses

DeBoer left Washington after two seasons and had just taken the Huskies to the national championship game on Jan. 8 in Houston before losing to Michigan. He is expected to make in the neighborhood of $10 million a year as Alabama's coach.

Kalen DeBoer is all smiles after being introduced as Alabama's new coach on Jan. 13 at Bryant-Denny Stadium. (Photo By John David Mercer, USA TODAY Sports)

After DeBoer's hiring, Alabama lost two freshmen stars to the NCAA Transfer Portal - safety Caleb Downs and offensive tackle Kadyn Proctor. Then Julian Sayin - one of the top-ranked quarterbacks in the class of 2024 - entered the portal after enrolling at Alabama this month. Both Downs and Sayin are going to Ohio State.

Ryan Williams Highest Ranked WR For Bama Since Julio Jones

Williams is a five-star prospect and the No. 6 overall player in the nation, according to 247 Sports, which has him as the No. 2 prospect in Alabama. He originally committed to the Tide in October of 2022.

DeBoer hosted Williams over the weekend on a recruiting visit to Alabama. After re-committing to the Tide, Williams also canceled recruiting visits to Texas on Jan. 27 and Auburn on Feb. 3. Williams' father Ryan Williams played at Auburn.

Before Williams, Alabama's highest ranked wide receiver commitment was Julio Jones (currently with the Eagles) at No. 1 in 2008 out of Foley, Alabama.

Kalen DeBoer's Washington Offense Caught Williams' Eye

Williams caught 88 passes for 1,641 yards and 24 touchdowns as a sophomore at Class 6A state champ Saraland in 2022. He also rushed 57 times for 700 yards and 15 touchdowns while returning two punts for TDs. Williams gained 2,300 all-purpose yards and scored 30 touchdowns in 2023 for Saraland, which finished as the 6A runner-up.

DeBoer's passing offense at Washington appealed to Williams. Huskies' quarterback Michael Penix Jr. finished No. 1 in the nation in the 2023 season in passing yards a game (326.9) and total passing yards (4,903), and he finished second in the Heisman Trophy race. Wide receiver Rome Odunze finished fourth nationally in receiving yards a game with 109.3.