Getty Image / iStockPhoto
Transfer season is underway with the portal having opened earlier this month. The race is on to land as much talent as possible as certain superstars look to make an impact with new teams.
Alabama freshman Ryan Williams was unexpectedly brought into the drama thanks to a retweet from an Ole Miss recruiting staffer. The post has now been deleted, but the screenshots live on.
Williams hauled in a team-high 857 yards this past season to go along with eight touchdowns. He accounted for 50% of Crimson Tide receiving scores as a 17-year-old rookie. Not too shabby.
There has been speculation of a move following Alabama’s 9-3 campaign, however. Most of that is just noise at this point, which insider Clint Lamb touched on Tuesday.
“It feels like Ryan Williams is all Alabama and until something changes on that front… I don’t think fans should be freaking out.”
-Clint Lamb via The Next Round podcast
Ryan Williams is NOT in the transfer portal. He’s made no indication that he plans to be. The rumor mill has started after seeing other players on the Alabama roster bolt for new programs. Flames were further fanned when an Ole Miss staffer opted to requote the receiver this week.
Williams took to Instagram to share a cryptic message with followers which many believed to be related to NIL negotiations. “Bingo we got action!” the note read.
Ryan-Williams-X
Monday morning, Director of On-campus Recruiting Santana McKnight posted that message on X word for word. She deleted it shortly thereafter as it exploded into more than intended.
Ryan Williams yesterday
Ole Miss Director of On-Campus Recruiting today
🤔🤔🤔 pic.twitter.com/ggOaF0zPfT
— The Next Round (@NextRoundLive) December 17, 2024
Some took the message as Ole Miss tampering with Ryan Williams. The Rebels have been active in the transfer portal under Lane Kiffin. In all likelihood, though, it related to a different 2024 Alabama roster member with interest in the Ole Miss program.
Running back Justice Haynes hit the transfer portal this offseason in search of a better opportunity. The Rebels represent one of his potential landing spots alongside Michigan, South Carolina, Ohio State, and Florida.
The Rebs may have action on Haynes, but there’s no movement on Williams. That was made clear by McKnight’s immediate post deletion. Ryan Williams isn’t going to Ole Miss. All signs point to the wideout staying put at Alabama. We’ll see if the Rebels are successful in nabbing his teammate.