Alabama WR Ryan-Coleman Williams reveals his reasoning for changing his name, jersey number, and more at the 2026 SEC Media Days
The Alabama Crimson Tide were featured during Wednesday morning’s session of the 2026 SEC Media Days, and starting WR Ryan Coleman-Williams was one of three players in attendance; here’s what he had to say.
Ryan Coleman-Williams arrived at SEC Media Days on Wednesday as a different person. New name. New number. New routine. And if his teammates are to be believed, a new level of play is coming for the Alabama Crimson Tide cornerback in 2026.
The former Ryan Williams changed his name to Coleman-Williams, swapped his No. 2 jersey for No. 1, and overhauled his entire offseason approach. Instead of heading home to Mobile, Alabama, Coleman-Williams stayed in Tuscaloosa to train. He also got married. When I asked him what drove all of the change, he framed it as a growth phase in his career and development. Later, on the SEC Now stage, he expanded on what marriage has done for his focus, saying he can lock in entirely on football heading into the 2026 season.
Ryan Coleman-Williams 2025 stats
- 49 receptions.
- 689 yards receiving.
- 14.1 yards per catch.
Why Coleman-Williams could look better than his freshman self
I believe Coleman-Williams is going to be a completely different player. Not just a return to his impressive freshman form, but an upgrade on it. And that take isn’t built solely on what he told me at Media Days. It’s built on what his teammates are saying behind the scenes.
Alabama cornerback Zabien Brown was asked who he thinks will be a breakout player for the Crimson Tide. Without hesitation, he named Coleman-Williams. That is not empty praise from a teammate trying to generate a good headline. Brown said it with conviction, and the specificity of his comments points to someone who has watched Coleman-Williams work up close all offseason.
The bottom line for Alabama in 2026
Coleman-Williams made a deliberate choice to change everything around him this offseason. The name, the number, the location, the personal life. All of it was intentional. Players who commit to that kind of total reset either flame out or take a massive leap, and everything coming out of Tuscaloosa suggests the latter.
If Coleman-Williams plays up to the standard his teammates are setting for him, Alabama’s secondary could be one of the most dangerous units in the SEC. We’ll see if the on-field results match the offseason hype, but the foundation for a special 2026 season is there.