Ty Simpson guarantees ‘really good year’ for Alabama wide receiver

Alabama Wide Receiver Ryan Coleman-Williams (1) in action during practice at Thomas-Drew Practice Fields in Tuscaloosa, AL on Friday, Mar 13, 2026. Photo by Rodger Champion

At Alabama football’s Pro Day, returning starter Ryan Coleman-Williams ran routes and caught some passes from NFL Draft quarterback prospect Ty Simpson, and Coleman-Williams was spoken highly of by a few of his teammates as the Crimson Tide prepares for the 2026 season.

Coleman-Williams hauled in a couple of passes on certain reps that got a reaction from those in attendance, and there was a time or two when Coleman-Williams was unable to haul in a pass from Simpson. When Simpson and Coleman-Williams failed to connect early in the throwing session on a particular rep, Simpson was vocal and said, “That’s on me”, adding that he would get it to him.  

After Simpson’s throwing session, Coleman-Williams received a glowing review from Simpson, and Simpson told media members to go ahead and “write it down” that Coleman-Williams is going to ball out in 2026. 

“Did y’all see him? You tell me,” Simpson said. “You see how big he is. He’s gained so much weight. He’s growing up. You can tell he’s the big guy in the room now. I’m so happy for him and so proud of him because I know how much football and Alabama means to him. We talk all the time. He’s like a little brother. He’s gonna ball out this year, so like I said, y’all can write it down. Ryan’s going to have a really good year.”

Simpson is confident that the junior wideout will have a solid 2026 season as the “big guy” in the wide receiver room. This is a phrase attributed to Coleman-Williams, as he is now one of the most experienced players in the wide receiver room, and he made a solid impression today.

According to Simpson, expect to see a bigger version of Coleman-Williams as he’s put on some weight and strengthened his body this offseason.

Another wideout that caught passes from Simpson today is Germie Bernard. He is an NFL Draft wide receiver prospect, and in 2025, he caught 64 passes for 862 yards and seven touchdowns.

Bernard spoke highly of Coleman-Williams during his media availability, and he said that the junior wideout is developing into a pro. 

“Ryan’s been mature since the first day he stepped on campus,” Bernard said. “He has a go-getter mindset. He’s slowly developing into a pro, and that was just great to see the growth man and just being able to be here and be able to have someone to lean on like older guys like me. Just being able to ask questions and just being a sponge and wanting to learn and get better each week and each day. He’s a guy that is very resilient, a guy that is always consistent with what he does no matter how the performance is, so Ryan, he’s in for a great season this year.”

Coleman Williams is coming off a sophomore season that some labeled a “sophomore slump” because of dropped passes and lack of involvement in the offense in certain games last season, but he still put up solid numbers.

He finished the year with 49 catches for 689 yards and four touchdowns. He has two future NFL players speaking highly of him after his showing at Alabama’s Pro Day, and the vibe within the program is that Coleman-Williams has a big year ahead of him.