Ryan Williams has become a master of time management.

Between posing for the cover of the EA Sports College Football video game, hosting a podcast, going to college at Alabama and preparing for his sophomore season, Williams spent Sunday at Spartan Stadium in Saraland hosting more than 100 boys and girls ages 4-16 at the Ryan William Football Camp.

Oh, and he’s also turned into one of the most enthusiastic and effective recruiters for the Crimson Tide – and not just the football team. Williams takes at least partial credit for helping the Alabama basketball team put together its 2025-26 roster.

“Trying to find balance is the hardest thing, but with the team I have behind me with the university and my family, it’s been pretty easy,” Williams said. “It goes back to trying to make an impact on people. With me recruiting, it makes an impact on the next generation of guys who are going to be playing at the University of Alabama. So, just knowing that is important and I enjoy it.”

But what about Ryan Williams the basketball recruiter?

“That’s my guy,” Williams said when asked about Crimson Tide point guard LaBaron Philon, who unexpectedly withdrew from the NBA Draft at the last minute and will return to Tuscaloosa next season. “We’ve been playing since Spring Hill basketball at age 7. He’s a year older, so he was 8. One thousand percent I was telling him to just give me one more year. He didn’t want to give me one more year to begin with, but he did and I’m thankful for him. We’ve got a deep backcourt and a deep frontcourt this year, so I’m super excited. I’m going to be at all the games.”

Williams said his friendly rivalry continues with his Philon.

“He’s not a football player,” Williams laughed. “We always had this argument when we first went to school together (at Alabama). We went in the facility, and he was my quarterback because it was May, and we didn’t have any other quarterbacks on campus. He could throw it a little bit, but nah, he’s not a football player.”

Williams looks more sturdy now at 6-foot, 177 pounds than he was as a reclassified freshman a year ago. But the smile and enthusiastic personality has not changed.

“It’s a blessing to be able to pour back into the community and spend some time back home even in the midst of getting ready for camp and getting ready for the season,” Williams said. “It means a lot for me to be in my position and understand that what I did today can impact kids for the rest of their lives, it’s a blessing that I’m able to do that.”

Saraland coach Jeff Kelly was at Sunday’s camp, watching Williams celebrate every touchdown like it was the game-winner in the Iron Bowl.

“It makes you proud as a coach to see the impact he’s having in such a short period of time,” Kelly said. “It’s great to see him in his element and spreading that smile that he’s always had.”

 Coco and Ryan Williams Sr. watched all the action Sunday from the same seats on the 20-yard line that they occupied when Ryan began playing for the Spartans. In addition to having one son host the camp, two others – 11-year-old Zaylon and 9-year-old Emery — were participating.

“Seeing all these kids out there wearing No. 2 with Williams on there is amazing and humbling,” Ryan Sr. said. “All this has happened so fast, but he’s handled it all with class.”