Kalen DeBoer raves how Ryan Coleman-Williams is becoming a leader for Alabama

Photo courtesy of Alabama Athletics

There was significant turnover in Alabama’s wide receiver room this offseason. But thankfully for Kalen DeBoer, the only thing that changed about Ryan Coleman-Williams was his name.

Coleman-Williams will be back for his third season with the Crimson Tide following a 2025 campaign that fell a bit short of preseason expectations. After suffering a concussion earlier in the year and struggles with drops throughout, Coleman-Williams returns to try and get back to the level of production which captured college football during his freshman season.

Being the primary option in the passing game is something Alabama is expecting from him but Coleman-Williams has also already stepped up into a leadership role on the team. DeBoer touched on the development when speaking with the media on Tuesday.

“Well Ryan, you may have someone that’s played as many snaps as anyone on our offense,” DeBoer said. “That’s again, turnover speaks to that. But he’s taken that on. He’s taken on a leadership role. In order to lead and be vocal like he has, it’s in him. He brings an energy and enthusiasm that you guys all see. It’s non stop. In order to do that you have to do the work. He’s always done the work. It feels like he’s seeing an opportunity, he continues to raise the work, raise the level, and be efficient in it. He’s always worked, I think where he’s focusing that attention is really intentional. It’s great to see his leadership capabilities. Last year I felt like he took a great step, and now it’s on another level. Our team needs that, our offense needs that.”

Coleman-Williams is amongst the most experienced players on Alabama having played in 27 games throughout his time in Tuscaloosa. With newcomers like Noah Rogers and young emerging stars such as Rico Scott and Lotzier Brooks, Coleman-Williams will be expected to lead on and off the field to aid whichever quarterback is delivering them the ball.

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Patrick Dowd is a Reporter for Touchdown Alabama Magazine. You can follow him on Twitter, via Pat_Dowd77