With in-state, five-star wide receiver Ryan Williams abandoning his recruitment and joining the Crimson Tide, the new head coach of Alabama achieved his first significant recruiting victory.

Introducing “Just a Minute,” a daily video series from BamaCentral that highlights beat writers covering Alabama. The authors will get together three times a week to share their opinions on topics related to the Crimson Tide or collegiate athletics in general.

Watch the video above as Blake Byler and Katie Windham discuss what it means for new Alabama head coach Kalen DeBoer to secure a commitment from in-state, five-star wide receiver Ryan Williams

BamaCentral’s “Just A Minute” Panel

Blake Byler: Blake Byler covers Alabama football and basketball as a staff writer for BamaCentral. Since 2021, he has covered a broad range of Crimson Tide sports, such as baseball, softball, golf, and more. Following his graduation from The University of Alabama in 2023, he started writing full-time for BamaCentral. During his time in school, he was The Crimson White’s sports editor.

Katie Windham: Katie Windham covers softball, basketball gymnastics, and football as an assistant editor for BamaCentral. She is a two-time graduate of the University of Alabama and has covered a variety of Crimson Tide athletics since 2019 for sites like The Tuscaloosa News, The Crimson White and the Associated Press before joining BamaCentral full time in 2021. Windham has covered the Women’s College World Series, the NCAA March Madness, the SEC Tournament, College Football Playoffs, and several sports titles.

‘He can connect in the south’: Birmingham-based trainer ‘Coach L’ gives thoughts on Kalen DeBoer

throughout his inaugural press conference, Alabama head coach Kalen DeBoer acknowledged the “tough competition” in the SEC throughout the recruiting process. He stressed how crucial it will be to build relationships as soon as possible, especially in the South.

He has demonstrated his “relentless attitude” by securing three transfer commitments and gaining the recommitment of five-star receiver Ryan Williams (Saraland, AL) in just his first 13 days on the job. Georgia, Mississippi, and Alabama high schools have employed Coach Deboer and his crew. During one of those visits, “Coach L,” the CEO of Step-by-Step Sports Training, was met in Birmingham.

Since 2017, “Coach L” has assisted over 400 children in obtaining a scholarship to play collegiate football. The former Jacksonville State student and native of Birmingham has coached about twenty athletes, some of whom have gone on to play for the University of Alabama.

He said, “We’ve been able to help all of these kids,” to Bama24-7. “All sports are trained by us. Naturally, football is the sport that everyone watches and becomes enthralled with the most. While many of the athletes play football, many of them also excel in other sports. I very much just want to support every athlete in realising their greatest potential. That implies that you don’t automatically think, “Oh my god, he’s a great d-lineman,” when you see a guy like Jeremiah Beaman. You say, “He’s an incredible athlete who plays defensive end.” I believe that when you do it, you see kids who are flexible, like Jaylen Mbakwe and Na’eem Offord (No. 2 CB in 2025).

His list of past and present Crimson Tide talent is impressive. It includes, but not limited to:

On Wednesday, Ryan Williams, a 5-star receiver from Saraland, Alabama, was selected by Alabama. It was a huge victory for the Crimson Tide’s receiver room going forward, as well as for incoming head coach Kalen DeBoer.