During its game against Texas A&M on Saturday night, Alabama got an early jump on its 2025 recruiting class when Saraland sophomore wide receiver Ryan Williams announced his commitment on social media.

Williams, who was a quarterback prior to his freshman season, is a 5-star recruit, according to the 247 composite rankings, and one of the top sophomores in the country.

He was in Bryant-Denny Stadium Saturday night when he fired off his commitment.

“I would like to thank my family for understanding the sacrifices that it takes for me to be where I want to be,” Williams wrote. “…. ROLL TIDE.”

His Saraland team is currently undefeated and ranked No. 1 in Class 6A. Williams caught 5 passes for 128 yards and 2 TDs, including a long of 72, in Friday’s win over Baldwin County.

“I’m excited for Ryan,” Spartans head coach Jeff Kelly said. “He’s such a mature kid who comes to work and works hard every day. He’s unbelievably talented. He has all the intangibles to be great.”

The 6-foot-1, 170-pound Williams also has offers from Auburn, Arkansas, Florida State, Michigan, Tennessee, Troy, UCF, West Virginia, Ole Miss and others.

“When you put the tape on, he just plays at a different speed than everyone else on the screen,” Kelly said earlier this fall. “The difference jumps off the screen. He is 40 (yard-dash) fast. He’s football fast. I think he has been laser-timed in the 4.5 range. … There have been times this year when he has the ball that everyone else looks like they are running in slow motion.”

Through eight games, Williams has 43 receptions for 840 yards and 15 touchdowns for Saraland. He’s also rushed 16 times for 229 yards and 5 TDs.

“Alabama has been on the top of his list for a long time,” Kelly said. “He has a great relationship with coach (Holmon) Wiggins and the other coaches. He’s been up to three or four games already and had a great time, a great experience. I think he’s looking forward to putting it behind him and doing the things he does every Friday night to help the Spartans win. I’m excited for him. If he continues to do the things he is going now, he will play this game for a long time.”

Kelly switched Williams from backup quarterback to wide receiver when he saw him running patterns with current West Virginia freshman Jarel Williams (no relation) prior to his freshman year.

“I started watching and, to be so raw, Ryan already had some really special traits though he hadn’t had any coaching at the receiver position,” Kelly said. last month. “I told coach (Brett) Boutwell and coach (Shane) Corley that we may be missing the boat keeping him at quarterback. We needed someone to play opposite Jarel, so we gave him a shot.”

As a freshman playing opposite Jarel Williams, Ryan Williams caught 27 passes for 289 yards and 4 TDs last year. He also scored 2 rushing touchdowns and threw a touchdown pass.

“Obviously, it’s a great fit for Ryan there,” Kelly said. “You look at the things they’ve done, the success they’ve had. They’ve got a great track record. It’s the place to be if you are an explosive receiver. Ryan has a couple of years left here. He will continue to work and get better. I think when he shows up on campus in 2-3 years, he will make a splash early on.”

Williams’ father, Ryan, played at Auburn. Alabama assistants Charles Kelly and Wiggins were listed as Williams’ lead recruiters.

The Tide has three commits in the 2023 class at WR, and one in 2024 (Foley’s Perry Thompson). Williams is the first verbal pledge in 2025.

MORE Recruiting: Breaking down Texas A&M-Alabama recruiting and future Tide DLs

Watch as we break down Auburn’s DB commits. Do players pick school or coach?

Nick Alvarez is a reporter for Alabama Media Group. Follow him on Twitter @nick_a_alvarez or email him at [email protected].