SHOCKING NEWS ; 5-Star Alabama wide receiver explains the incident that kept him from switching to the in-state rival.
A former 5-star recruit and current Alabama Crimson Tide wide receiver discussed the moment that prevented him from flipping his commitment to the Auburn Tigers. Alabama and Auburn have always competed for similar high school recruits, especially the in-state talent. In last year’s recruiting cycle, both were battling hard for one of the nation’s top players in the 2024 class, Ryan Williams.
Williams is from Saraland, Alabama, and is currently a 17-year-old freshman playing for the Crimson Tide. He reclassified from the 2023 class to 2024. While uncommitted, Williams took an unofficial visit to Auburn on the weekend of the Iron Bowl when Alabama came to town. On the “New Wave Podcast,” Williams revealed that the Auburn coaching staff had given him an ultimatum before the game to get him to commit to the Tigers that day. “Before the game, they was like, ‘when we win, you gonna commit at center field, and we rushing the field,'” Williams shared.
The game ended up being one for the ages. With 43 seconds left, Auburn was winning 24-20, and Alabama had the ball on 4th and goal from the 31-yard line. Alabama quarterback Jalen Milroe dropped back and completed a game-winning touchdown pass to wide receiver Isaiah Bond in the back corner of the endzone. Williams described what was going through his mind during that moment. “Man, it’s 4th and 31, and when I say I was shaking in my boots,” Williams added.
“They would have stopped them; we was rushing the field right then and there. We back there, I’m like man, come on, please. I’m entertained I’m like, ‘yeah, yeah I’m gonna run to the field, I’m gonna run, I’m gonna do it.'” While Williams may be on an Auburn visit, he revealed he didn’t actually want to storm the field if the Tigers won. “I didn’t want to do it. Next thing you knew, he threw it.
I was like (shocked look on his face).” With Alabama’s win that day, Williams didn’t have to commit to Auburn at center field. Before ultimately deciding to attend the University of Alabama, Williams made five visits to Auburn, compared to one at Alabama. Now, in just three games for the Crimson Tide, Williams has accumulated 10 receptions for 285 yards and four touchdowns. No. 4 Alabama has a bye in Week 4 and then will host No. 2 Georgia on Saturday, September 28. Kickoff is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. ET on ESPN.
