High school wide receiver Ryan Williams Mickey Welsh / USA TODAY NETWORK

Alabama loses elite recruit immediately after Nick Saban retires

By Andrew Kulha | Last updated 1/10/24

Nick Saban is calling it a career and a legendary one at that. Earlier on Wednesday, the seven-time national champion head coach of the Alabama Crimson Tide announced his retirement.

Saban is arguably the greatest college coach to ever to do it, regardless of sport, so this announcement is going to have a far-reaching impact. The decision will ripple throughout college football, but Saban stepping away from the game will undoubtedly have a seismic impact on the Alabama football program.

Mainly, who is going to replace the legendary head coach?

That has to be the biggest question on the mind of most Crimson Tide supporters, but unfortunately, five-star 2025 wide receiver Ryan Williams won't be sticking around Tuscaloosa to find out.

BREAKING: Five-Star Plus+ WR Ryan Williams tells me he has Decommitted from Alabama

The Top 10 Recruit in the ‘24 Class will Commit & Sign in February

The Departure of Coach Saban & Wiggins played a major factor in his decision, Williams saidhttps://t.co/xI19QG2kaY pic.twitter.com/KQdMZBfCEd
— Hayes Fawcett (@Hayesfawcett3) January 10, 2024

It's worth noting that Williams didn't sign with Alabama during the early signing period, so he is free to commit and decommit anywhere he likes. Not that a letter of intent would mean much anyhow in college football's "portal era."

The Crimson Tide will be frantically trying to replace Saban as soon as possible with a big-time head coach, but it's going to be interesting to see how many current players or signees end up in the portal with the departure of Saban – no matter who ends up as his replacement.

Regarding Williams, keep an eye out for Auburn now that he's back on the market. From Saraland, Alabama, his father played for the Tigers.

According to the 247Sports composite rankings, Williams is the No. 4 wideout in the 2024 class and the No. 12 recruit overall.

This has undoubtedly been a tough day for Alabama.

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