ESPN | July 5, 2025
Kalen DeBoer and Alabama Land 2026 Five-Star WR Brian Williams Jr., Signal Explosive Future for Crimson Tide Offense
“This is Wide Receiver U now,” says nation’s No. 1 pass-catcher after committing to Tuscaloosa.
The Kalen DeBoer era at Alabama just added jet fuel.
In a major recruiting coup, Brian Williams Jr., the top-ranked wide receiver in the class of 2026 and No. 3 overall prospect nationally, has officially committed to the Alabama Crimson Tide, giving DeBoer and his staff a generational weapon and sending a clear message across the SEC and beyond: Alabama is still the standard.
Standing 6’4”, 205 pounds with 4.32-second speed in the 40-yard dash, Williams Jr. — a five-star recruit out of IMG Academy (by way of Charlotte, NC) — made his announcement via livestream from a Nike Elite 11 7v7 showcase in Los Angeles. Wearing crimson and white sneakers and flanked by his family, he unzipped a plain black hoodie to reveal a custom Alabama jersey bearing the number 1.
> “I wanted to be coached by the best and compete with the best,” Williams said. “Coach DeBoer’s offense is built for guys like me — fast, physical, and explosive. This is Wide Receiver U now.”
The announcement caps off a whirlwind recruiting battle that saw Ohio State, USC, Georgia, and Florida State aggressively pursue the elite playmaker. Alabama, however, separated itself during a private campus visit in early June when Williams sat down with DeBoer, offensive coordinator Nick Sheridan, and star QB commit D.J. Maddox — now projected as the future face of Alabama’s offense.
> “When Brian and D.J. met, the chemistry was instant,” said recruiting analyst Tasha Grant of 247Sports. “They tossed routes together for 20 minutes and looked like they’d been teammates for years. That sealed it.”
Williams Jr. had already become a household name on the national high school circuit. He posted 1,842 receiving yards and 23 touchdowns in his junior season at IMG while adding 4 return touchdowns on special teams. His tape shows rare body control, elite separation ability, and after-the-catch acceleration reminiscent of Julio Jones and Garrett Wilson — two players he models his game after.
The commitment of Williams gives Alabama its highest-rated wide receiver recruit since Jerry Jeudy in 2017, and vaults the Crimson Tide’s 2026 class to No. 1 in the nation, ahead of Texas and Oregon. DeBoer now holds verbal pledges from three five-star offensive players, including QB D.J. Maddox, RB Kalen Briggs, and now WR Brian Williams Jr.
> “We’re building something special in Tuscaloosa,” DeBoer said in a short statement. “Brian is a young man of elite character and rare talent. We can’t wait to get to work.”
The news reverberated instantly through social media, with Alabama players and fans flooding Twitter with “Roll Tide” memes, while former greats like DeVonta Smith and Jaylen Waddle welcomed Williams Jr. into the Tide brotherhood.
> “Congrats lil bro! Keep the WR legacy alive down there,” Smith tweeted. “You made the right choice.”
With Brian Williams Jr. now locked in, all eyes turn to how DeBoer and Alabama will maximize this offensive arsenal in the coming years. But one thing is clear: the future in Tuscaloosa is fast, flashy, and fearsome once again.
Up Next: Alabama hosts its “Future Tide Elite Camp” in August, with Williams Jr. expected to return and help recruit more talent. Don’t be surprised if more five-stars follow his lead.
