Nick Saban brought in the mass majority of Alabama’s 2024 freshmen class, but Kalen DeBoer got one name to recommit and sign to the Crimson Tide’s football program.
The Tide has a very talented group of freshmen, but two have stood out the most to everyone. Whether it is coaches or players, Ryan Williams (wide receiver) and Zabien Brown (cornerback) have been the conversation throughout fall camp.
Both arrived on campus as five stars after exceptional high school careers. Williams, a product of Saraland (Ala.) High School, earned two-time “Mr. Football” honors in the state of Alabama. He was also a two-time Gatorade Player of the Year.
Brown, a product of Mater Dei High School in Santa Ana, Calif., was arguably the best defensive back in the 2024 class.
Alabama Defensive Back Zabien Brown (2) during Fan Day Practice at Bryant-Denny Stadium in Tuscaloosa, AL on Sunday, Aug 11, 2024.
He was the most polished cornerback the Tide signed and is in a position to possibly start versus Western Kentucky.
Coach DeBoer has been so pleased with both that he referred to them as ‘advanced’ in Thursday’s presser.
‘It may be athleticism, but it is just their maturity,” DeBoer said about Williams and Brown. “They understand what the commitment is.”
DeBoer stated that Williams and Brown may be young, but they are farther ahead in their maturity than most freshmen.
“They have been thrown in there and realized there is an opportunity,” DeBoer said. “I love how they have taken advantage of their opportunities. They are not taking it for granted that more and more are going to come.”
Brown had a left hand injury a few weeks back, but he still showed the hunger to compete.
“He wants to be out there,” DeBoer said about Brown.
“Not that there was an option or anything, but he wanted to go out there and get some reps. He easily could have said I am not comfortable yet and been on the sideline more, but they (Williams and Brown) are getting better and will continue to get better.”
Williams and Brown will be ready to put on a show next week versus Western Kentucky.
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Stephen M. Smith is the senior writer for Touchdown Alabama Magazine. You can “like” him on Facebook or “follow” him on Twitter, via @CoachingMSmith.
