Surprise!

Ryan Williams has another game to play in a Saraland helmet after all.

The 5-star Alabama WR commit, who announced Monday he was reclassifying into the class of 2024, will play in Saturday’s Alabama-Mississippi Game in Hattiesburg, Miss.

Williams replaces Miami running back commit Kevin Riley of Tuscaloosa County. Central-Phenix City wide receiver Cameron Coleman, who earned MVP honors Class 7A finals last week, had been selected to play but opted out, making room for Benjamin Russell’s Malcolm Simmons.

Both Coleman and Simmons are Auburn commits. The Alabama High School Athletic Directors and Coaches Association announced Williams’ addition on Tuesday. He is expected to be at practice later today. The game is slated for noon Saturday at M.M. Roberts Stadium in Hattiesburg, Miss.

Williams, the state’s reigning Mr. Football, is now set to graduate in May, making him eligible for this year’s game. It was also announced Monday that he would play in the Under Armour All-American Game on Jan. 3.

“I think coach (Alvin) Briggs and Brandon (Dean, director of the AHSACDA) looked at all the facts in Ryan’s case and, seeing that he has declared to reclassify already and is going to play in the Under Armour Game, this really will be his senior year,” said Enterprise coach Ben Blackmon, who will lead the Alabama team this week. “We had some roster spots come open this morning. When that happened, he was an obvious choice given his announcement this week.”

Williams had 12 receptions for 236 yards and two TDs, one rushing score and an 86-yard kickoff return for a fourth TD in the Spartans’ 31-28 loss to Clay-Chalkville in the Class 6A championship game on Friday. His prep career totals include 72 catches this season for 1,324 yards and 19 TDs. In 39 games, he has caught 187 passes for 3,254 yards and 47 scores. He also has 24 career rushing TDs, three punt returns and kickoff for scores – giving him 71 total TDs.

“It was the right thing to do,” Blackmon said. “He is the top player in our state so selecting him to represent Alabama was only natural. The first things he brings is energy. The other kids on the team will be excited to play with Ryan, and I think Ryan will be excited to be on the team. He has a lot of good friends who he will play with and against at the next level. And, of course, anyone who has watched high school football in this state for the last two years knows what a phenomenal athlete he is.”

Williams decision to reclassify and effectively forego his final year of football at Saraland sent him to the top of AL.com’s revamped A-List of top seniors in Alabama. He said after Monday’s reclassification announcement that he was still committed to Alabama though would likely still take visits to other campuses as well. He is expected to sign on Feb. 9, his 17th birthday.

Williams wasn’t the only roster change for Alabama this week. Central-Phenix City DL Isaia Faga, Foley WR Perry Thompson and Thompson High safety Kaleb Harris have pulled out. They have been replaced by Andalusia’s Landon Marshall, Hillcrest-Tuscaloosa’s Ja’Marcus Prince and Enterprise’s Keon Dunlap.

Saraland’s Daylan Martin, who was injured in Friday’s Class 6A title game, will be replaced by Hewitt-Trussville OL Kade Martin. Clay-Chalkville offensive lineman and Oregon commit JacQwan McRoy also opted out, but his replacement had not been added Tuesday morning.

Roster changes for the North-South

The North-South All-Star Game will be held at 2 p.m. Friday at Hancock Whitney Stadium on the campus of South Alabama. There have been some changes to that roster as well.

Added to the South roster this week were Class 5A title game MVP Ronnie Royal of Gulf Shores and teammate Braden Jackson, Saraland linebacker Cameron Laffitte, Mobile Christian defensive lineman Diego Camboia, Vigor linebacker Brandon Purifoy and Central-Phenix City running back Trent Hood. One other player is also expected to be added later today.

Five players were added to the North roster including Oneonta’s Da’Marion “Fluff” Bothwell, who rushed for 3,115 yards as a junior and went over 2,000 yards as a senior. Bothwell is a South Alabama commitment. Others added to the North roster in recent weeks are defensive end Carlos Ivy of Clay-Chalkville, linebacker Nick Davis of Leeds, defensive back E.J. Havis of Guntersville, and defensive back Ethan Wilder of Gordo.