Following the retirement of Nick Saban last week, there was no question dominoes were likely to fall in the coming months. To get things started, class of 2024 wide receiver Ryan Williams reopened his recruitment just hours following the announcement. Now, as he looks for a new future home, LSU has quickly emerged as an early contender for the five-star Alabama decommitment.
Wide receiver Ryan Williams to look for new home following Nick Saban retirement
In today’s age of college football, the domino effect is greater than ever before. This is largely thanks to the recent trends with the transfer portal, and the retirement of legendary coach Nick Saban proved to be an excellent example of it.
In the last five days alone, four players have entered the transfer portal for Alabama, and even more recruits have either decommitted or turned their sights elsewhere.
As unfortunate as that may be for the Crimson Tide football program, it’s just proving to be a benefit for several other top teams around the country. Namely, coach Brian Kelly and the Tigers already appear to be targeting some big-time players looking for a new home.
One such player is wide receiver Ryan Williams, who quickly reopened his recruitment following Wednesday’s news.
Williams, who originally was listed as the No. 1 wide receiver in the class of 2025, elected to reclassify to the current cycle in mid-December. For most recruits, a significant drop in overall rating may generally follow, but the five-star Alabama decommitment isn’t just any recruit.
According to 247Sports, even despite being a year younger than most other class of 2024 players, Ryan Williams ranks as the No. 10 player nationally, as well as the No. 3 wide receiver.
An electric playmaker, with top-end speed, the 6-foot, 165-pound, Saraland, AL, product has the potential to make an immediate impact for any team he lands with. Now, it’s just a matter of finding out which school that ends up being.
LSU an early contender for the five-star Alabama decommitment
Already, it should come as no surprise that wide receiver Ryan Williams essentially has his pick of any school in the country. Even still, it appears he has a few schools in mind for his next commitment destination.
Luckily for Tiger fans, it seems like LSU is among his top choices, as according to On3, Alabama, Auburn, LSU, Texas and Texas A&M are the schools to watch.
It’s important to keep in mind that the Tigers aren’t exactly hurting for wide receiver talent in the class of 2024. Three recruits are committed to join the purple and gold next season, as four-star recruits Kylan Billiot, Jelani Watkins and Michael Turner are already signed.
Even more, coach Brian Kelly has two transfer wide receivers committed, as Zavion Thomas and CJ Daniels are set to begin their Tiger careers in 2024.
While LSU may already have one of the deeper pass catching rooms in the country heading into next season, it’s hard to look away from a talent as good as Ryan Williams. If the Tiger coaching staff manages to bring the five-star Alabama decommitment over to Baton Rouge, don’t be surprised if he finds his way to the field early and often.
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