50 players Alabama fans need to know: Tide’s biggest star looks for reset

EDITOR’S NOTE: As we count down to the SEC Media Days on July 20, 205focus.com is profiling one Alabama football player every day. Today, we spotlight star wide receiver Ryan Coleman-Williams.

A New Look for a Familiar Face

6-foot, 182 pounds, Mobile

If any Crimson Tide player is craving a fresh start for the 2026 season, it is undeniably Ryan Coleman-Williams. As he enters his junior campaign, the high-profile playmaker is signaling a personal reset—he has added his mother’s surname to his own and swapped his jersey number from No. 2 to No. 1.

Coming off a 2025 season that failed to meet lofty expectations, Coleman-Williams is hungry for a bounce-back year. While he recorded a respectable 689 yards on 49 receptions last season, the Saraland product is aiming to reach the ceiling he established during a breakout freshman year that included a game-winning touchdown catch against Georgia and legitimate Heisman Trophy buzz.

Chasing the Potential

Coleman-Williams’ national profile hit an all-time high when he appeared on the cover of EA Sports’ College Football 26 alongside Ohio State’s Jeremiah Smith. However, he struggled with consistency last year, dealing with an uncharacteristic issue with dropped passes that stunted his momentum.

Signs are pointing toward a return to form, however. Coleman-Williams has dedicated the offseason to building strength and reports that he is healthier than he has been in a long time. Tide head coach Kalen DeBoer expressed full confidence in the receiver’s drive during the SEC spring meetings in May.

"We need him to be a leader, and he is," DeBoer said. "He’s an easy guy to root for. I’m rooting for this guy. Anyone who knows him, anyone who follows us, is a supporter or fan of ours, needs to do the same. The guy is giving everything he has."

The Road Ahead

As the longest-tenured starter in the wide receiver room, Coleman-Williams is expected to set the standard for his younger teammates. The offense will look to him to be a reliable target for whichever signal-caller secures the starting job—either Keelon Russell or Austin Mack—following the departure of Ty Simpson.

If he can find his rhythm and tap back into his elite potential, Alabama’s offense stands to benefit significantly. The sky remains the limit for one of the Tide's most recognized assets.

COMING TUESDAY: We examine the other side of the Alabama quarterback competition with redshirt freshman Keelon Russell.