A 5-star recruit and current Alabama wide receiver shared the moment that kept him from switching his commitment to Auburn. Alabama and Auburn have always vied for the same high school talent, particularly in-state players. In the last recruiting cycle, both schools competed intensely for top 2024 prospect Ryan Williams, a 17-year-old freshman from Saraland, Alabama, who reclassified from 2023.
While still uncommitted, Williams visited Auburn during the Iron Bowl weekend when Alabama faced off against them. On the “New Wave Podcast,” he revealed that Auburn’s coaches issued him an ultimatum before the game, asking him to commit if they won. “Before the game, they said, ‘When we win, you’re gonna commit at center field, and we’ll rush the field,'” he recounted.
The game turned out to be thrilling. With just 43 seconds left, Auburn led 24-20, and Alabama faced a 4th and goal from the 31-yard line. Alabama quarterback Jalen Milroe threw a game-winning touchdown pass to Isaiah Bond in the back corner of the end zone. Williams recalled his nerves during that critical moment: “It was 4th and 31, and I was shaking in my boots. If they had stopped them, we would’ve rushed the field right there. I was back there thinking, ‘Please, come on.’ I was excited, thinking, ‘Yeah, I’m gonna run on the field!'”
Although he was on an Auburn visit, he admitted he didn’t actually want to storm the field if the Tigers won. “I didn’t want to do it. Next thing I knew, he threw it, and I was like (in shock).” With Alabama’s victory, Williams avoided having to commit to Auburn at center field.
Williams visited Auburn five times before deciding to attend the University of Alabama, compared to just one at Alabama. In just three games for the Crimson Tide, Williams has 10 receptions for 285 yards and four touchdowns. Alabama gets a bye in Week 4 before hosting No. 2 Georgia on Saturday, September 28. Kickoff is set at 7:30 p.m. ET on ESPN.
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