Many consider Alabama’s Ryan Williams to be the second-best wide receiver in college football behind Ohio State’s Jeremiah Smith.
The sophomore wideout has put up strong numbers through his first two college seasons — 97 catches, 1,554 yards, and 12 touchdowns — and he’s primed for a breakout year in 2026 with the Crimson Tide likely starting former five-star signal-caller Keelon Russell at quarterback.
All eyes will be on Williams next year — he’s likely to be a top-10 pick in the 2027 NFL draft — but he’s also made two big changes this offseason that will likely have fans talking up until the season starts.
Williams announced on Friday via social media that he was changing his jersey number and last name to honor his mother’s side of his family.
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“Ryan Coleman-Williams. New era, Same Ryan. Hollywood has told me that he will be changing his last name & jersey number to ‘Coleman-Williams’ & #1,” the Bamacfb Instagram page announced, which was shared by Williams on his personal page too.
“Ryan has officially changed his last name to ‘Coleman-Williams’ to represent his moms side of the family & he also has changed his number from #2 to #1. Uno Hollywood is about to go CRAZY.”
Coleman-Williams actually wore his hyphenated last name on his eye black during a game against Tennessee last season.
The change has already gone into effect. The Alabama roster page officially lists him as Ryan Coleman-Williams and wearing jersey No. 1.
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