Saraland wide receiver Ryan Williams’ major announcement Monday morning caused a dramatic shift in the AL.com A-List ranking of the Top 15 senior recruits in the state of Alabama.

Williams, a longtime Alabama commit and the state’s reigning Mr. Football, announced he will reclassify from 2025 into the 2024 class, meaning he will finish high school this year and enter college this summer.

Williams, who was the No. 1 recruit in the state’s Class of 2025, jumps to No. 1 in the 2024 A-List. He moved to No. 2 on the 247 composite rankings, just behind Auburn commit Cameron Coleman of Central-Phenix City. He said he will sign on Feb. 9, his birthday. The addition of Williams to this classification gives Alabama six current commits on the A-List. Auburn has four.

Also joining the updated A-list is Ronnie Royal III, who led Gulf Shores to the Class 5A state championship. The N.C. State commit enters the A-List at No. 15.

There have been a pair of commitment changes since the A-List was first revamped prior to the start of the playoffs in November. Spanish Fort EDGE Cole McConathy flipped from Louisville to Miami, while Coleman flipped from Texas A&M to Auburn.

AL.com ranks the top recruits in the state each summer and then updates throughout the season.

Here is the updated A-List following Willams’ announcement:

15. Ronnie Royal III, ATH, Gulf Shores

Height/weight: 5-9.5, 175

Preseason A-List rank: Not ranked

Senior stats: Royal was the MVP of the Class 5A title game. He ran for 188 yards and two touchdowns on 22 carries, caught three passes for 39 yards and made a highlight-reel, 1-handed interception. He finished the season with 1,069 yards rushing and 17 touchdowns and 473 yards receiving and a score. He had 49 tackles and five interceptions on defense. He returned two interceptions and two kickoffs for touchdowns and returned four punts for scores. He finished his senior season with 2,749 all-purpose yards and 27 TDs.

Recruiting update: Committed to N.C. State

Randy Kennedy analysis: Ronnie Royal was a star all season in leading Gulf Shores to its first state championship. Royal is projected as a defensive back at North Carolina State, but he could also contribute on offense and special teams.

14. Cole McConathy, DE, Spanish Fort

Height/weight: 6-5, 225

Preseason A-List rank: Not ranked

Senior stats: McConathy finished the season with 111 tackles, including 36.5 tackles for loss. He also had 24.5 sacks and 38 QB hurries.

Recruiting update: Flipped commitment from Louisville to Miami

Randy Kennedy analysis: He’s not a tight end, as some recruiting him want to say he is. He’s not a late bloomer or an overachiever. Cole McConathy is simply one of the best football players and prospects in the state. When he’s playing in the NFL, a lot of fans are going to be wondering why he didn’t play his college football in the SEC, specifically at Alabama or Auburn.

13. Kevin Riley, RB, Tuscaloosa County

Height/weight: 5-11, 195

Preseason A-List rank: 12

Senior stats: Riley rushed for 764 yards and 7 TDs on 124 carries and caught 8 passes for 145 yards and a TD. He missed 2.5 games.

Recruiting update: Committed to Miami

Randy Kennedy analysis: Kevin Riley is the prototypical modern back who is as comfortable as a pass catcher as he is running the ball.

12. William Sanders, OL, Brookwood

Height/weight: 6-3, 290

Preseason A-List rank: 10

Senior stats: Dominant 4-star offensive lineman.

Recruiting update: Committed to Alabama

Randy Kennedy analysis: William Sanders is smart and incredibly athletic. It’s easy to see him as an effective leader and pulling guard at Alabama.

11. Jordan Ross, DE, Vestavia Hills

Height/weight: 6-4.5, 233

Preseason A-List rank: 9

Senior stats: Ross finished with 72 tackles, 23 tackles for a loss, 12.5 sacks and 10 QB hurries. He also had 6 pass deflections and a blocked field goal.

Recruiting update: Committed to Tennessee

Randy Kennedy analysis: Everyone is looking for prospects like Jordan Ross, who looks like a basketball forward but has the mentality of a pass-rusher off the edge.

10. KJ Jackson, QB, St. James

Height/weight: 6-3, 215

Preseason A-List rank: Not ranked

Senior stats: Completed 144-of-229 passes for 2,922 yards and 43 TDs. He was intercepted just five times. He also rushed for 488 yards and 12 TDs on 104 carries. Jackson finished his career with 9,058 passing yards and 131 touchdowns. He also had 27 rushing TDs.

Recruiting update: Committed to Arkansas

Randy Kennedy analysis: KJ Jackson could be the SEC’s next great left-handed quarterback. He has the perfect combination for a modern-day quarterback – he is a capable runner, but his best production comes from inside the pocket.

9. Isaia Faga, DL, Central-Phenix City

Height/weight: 6-2, 275

Preseason A-List rank: 6

Senior stats: Through 13 games, Faga had 83 tackles, 29 tackles for a loss, 12 sacks and 20 QB hurries. He helped the Red Devils to the Class 7A state title.

Recruiting update: Committed to Alabama

Randy Kennedy analysis: It’s hard to find a playmaker who is also comfortable with all the responsibilities of a true noseguard. That’s what makes Isaia Faga such a special prospect.

8. Demarcus Riddick, LB, Chilton County

Height/weight: 6-2, 212

Preseason A-List rank: 1

Senior stats: Finished with 92 tackles (48 solo), 12 TFL, 3 sacks, 1 INT, 1 defensive touchdown. One of 12 semifinalists for high school Butkus Award

Recruiting update: Committed to Auburn

Randy Kennedy analysis: Demarcus Riddick was athletic enough to be an outstanding punt returner during his career at Chilton County. His coverage skills are as impressive as his play at the line of scrimmage, leading to the thought that he could be effective at more than one position in college.

7. Joseph Phillips, LB, B.T. Washington

Height/weight: 6-2, 250

Preseason A-List rank: 8

Senior stats: Phillips played a big role on offense and defense in leading B.T. Washington on a surprise run to the Class 4A semifinals. He finished the season with 130 tackles, including 33 for a loss, 9 sacks and 25 QB hurries. On offense, he rushed for 450 yards and 5 TDs on 53 carries and caught nine passes for 194 yards and three touchdowns.

Recruiting update: Committed to Auburn

Randy Kennedy analysis: Joseph Phillips is a disruptive defensive player who has the versatility to play any position on the front seven. It will be interesting to see how the Auburn staff chooses to utilize Phillips and his consistently high-energy skills.

6. Perry Thompson, WR, Foley

Height/weight: 6-3, 202

Preseason A-List rank: 4

Senior stats: The 5-star played on offense, defense and special teams for the Lions. On offense, he completed 5-of-6 passes for 93 yards and 2 TDs, rushed for 102 yards and a TD and caught 53 passes for 718 yards and 7 TDs.

Recruiting update: Committed to Auburn

Randy Kennedy analysis: Perry Thompson has every skill needed to be a superstar receiver on the college level. The next step in his evolution is to be a player who has to be accounted for by the defense on every play.

5. Sterling Dixon, LB/EDGE, Spanish Fort

Height/weight: 6-3, 211

Preseason A-List rank: 7

Senior stats: Dixon made a surprise return from an early-season shoulder injury and didn’t miss a step. He finished with 128 tackles, 32 tackles for a loss, 15 sacks and 32 QB hurries. He also intercepted four passes.

Recruiting update: Committed to Alabama

Randy Kennedy analysis: Sterling Dixon may eventually make the permanent move to inside linebacker like his mentor and former teammate, Deontae Lawson. For now, his best skill is still as a clever and relentless pass-rusher off the edge.

4. Jeremiah Beaman, DL, Parker

Height/weight: 6-4, 265

Preseason A-List rank: 5

Senior stats: Beaman finished with 56 tackles, nine tackles for a loss and 11 sacks.

Recruiting update: Committed to Alabama

Randy Kennedy analysis: Jeremiah Beaman is not just a space-eater who can keep blockers off linebackers. Beaman is a playmaker who has surprisingly good ball skills for a big man.

3. Jaylen Mbakwe, ATH/DB, Clay-Chalkville

Height/weight: 5-11, 170

Preseason A-List rank: 2

Senior stats: The longtime Tide commit, who will play defensive back at Alabama, moved to QB for the Cougars this year and led them to an undefeated season and the Class 6A state title. He was named MVP of the championship game when he ran for 130 yards and three touchdowns on 26 carries and completed 9-of-17 passes for 142 yards and a TD. He also played defense on Clay’s final series as they held No. 1 Saraland out of the end zone.

Recruiting update: Committed to Alabama

Randy Kennedy analysis: Jaylen Mbakwe was surprisingly efficient as a quarterback this season, which shows what an incredibly versatile athlete he is. Mbakwe has the kind of speed and change of direction that is reserved for only the most elite prospects.

2. Cam Coleman, WR, Central-Phenix City

Height/weight: 6-3, 180

Preseason A-List rank: 3

Senior stats: Coleman was sensational in leading the Red Devils to the Class 7A state title. He was named MVP of the championship game after hauling in five passes for 143 yards, including a key 73-yard TD in the second half. He finished the season with 61 receptions for 1,372 yards and 18 TDs.

Recruiting update: Committed to Auburn

Randy Kennedy analysis: Cam Coleman proved in the Class 7A state championship game why he is considered one of the top 10 recruits in the entire country. He’s not only fast but he’s also outstanding on contested catches down the field.

1. Ryan Williams, WR, Saraland

Height/weight: 6-1, 165

Preseason A-List rank: Not ranked (Williams reclassified into Class of 2024)

Junior stats: Williams caught 72 passes for 1,324 yards and 19 touchdowns. He also rushed for 261 yards and seven scores, threw a TD pass and returned two kickoffs and one punt for TDs.

Recruiting update: Committed to Alabama

Randy Kennedy analysis: I’ve been covering high school football in Alabama for more than 40 years. I never thought I’d see a high school player as good as David Palmer, but then came Ryan Williams. Williams is as quick as he is fast. Barring injury, he is destined for stardom in college and beyond.

A-LIST BREAKDOWN

Alabama: 6 (Ryan Williams, Jaylen Mbakwe, Jeremiah Beaman, Isaia Faga, Sterling Dixon, William Sanders)

Auburn: 4 (Cam Coleman, Perry Thompson, Demarcus Riddick, Joseph Phillips)

Miami: 2 (Kevin Riley, Cole McConathy)

Others: 1 each

N.C. State – Ronnie Royal III

Arkansas – KJ Jackson

Tennessee – Jordan Ross