2 wide receivers to help Ryan Williams for Alabama in 2026 season

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He needs a bounce back year after having struggles in 2025, but could consistent help navigate him to a monster season?

Alabama legends give Ryan Williams advice ahead of potential bounce back junior season

Ryan Coleman-Williams dropped 13 passes last year – including seven of 10-plus yards that negated explosive plays and potential touchdowns. Whether it was a lack of focus or not looking the football into his hands, it was frustrating for Alabama fans to watch the former five-star not secure marquee plays. He has to return to the electric playmaker he was as a freshman in 2024 and adequate help could guide the junior to success.

The Mobile (Ala.) native spoke to reporters last week as the Crimson Tide opened spring practice. He is excited about the young energy at wide receiver with Rico Scott, Lotzier Brooks, and Cederian Morgan (freshman) among others.

Coleman-Williams looks at Scott and Brooks as athletes that will help him the most.

“They bounce off each other,” Williams said of Scott and Brooks. “They learn from each other, whether it is in the slot position or outside. They are the most compatible guys in our room.”

Brooks, a New Jersey native, is the shorter of the two wide outs, but he packs major explosiveness.

The 5-foot-9, 193-pounder was impactful as a freshman with 32 receptions for 441 yards and two touchdowns. Both of his scores came in the  opening round of Alabama’s College Football Playoff matchup against Oklahoma. He had a team-high 79 yards receiving on five catches, while his touchdowns came on plays of 10 and 30 yards to push the Tide to a 34-24 comeback victory. Brooks’ speed and routes require attention from a cornerback and a safety.

He finished second on the team with 13.8 yards per catch and converted 19 first downs or touchdowns across his receptions.

The sophomore is looking forward to building off his production, yet he also will create more for Williams.

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Scott, a Pennsylvania native, is more compact in his role.

The redshirt sophomore resembles former Alabama wide receiver, ArDarius Stewart.

Scott catches passes in the flat, executes numerous routes well, takes hand-offs out of the backfield on end arounds, and operates the jet sweep/pop pass game too.

He is also an unselfish blocker, springing teammates to big plays on the edge. The 6-foot, 198-pounder played in 15 games – including three starts – totaling 11 catches for 98 yards and two touchdowns.

Scott and Brooks can operate on the outside, putting Coleman-Williams in the slot.

“You can see them sprint down the field going 1,000 miles per hour,” Williams said. 

“And, I’m like ‘appreciate the clearance, I’m open.’”

He wants more chances to say I’m open and take advantage of them. Brooks and Scott anticipate giving that to Williams, while creating moments for themselves.

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Stephen M. Smith is a team writer for Touchdown Alabama Magazine.  You can “like” him on Facebook or “follow” him on Twitter, via @CoachingMSmith.