Kalen DeBoer has one golden rule for his players: “We want you to be men of integrity.” And guess who passed the test? Alabama’s 18-year-old phenom, Ryan Williams. He is already setting the standard. This isn’t just about his record-breaking autograph line on A-Day or his unique birthday celebration collaborating with kids on an art contest. It’s about how Williams is quickly becoming the very embodiment of the integrity and impact DeBoer champions, both on and off the field.

When talking about the gridiron, he has already left his mark by racking up 913 yards and ten touchdowns. And how could we forget Williams’ heroic feat against Georgia? His 75-yard touchdown catch, complete with an electrifying spin move and a sprint to the end zone, earned 10/10 scores for agility. Off the field, Williams continues to impress.

On May 8, he hosted brothers Peter and Aaron Berry from the University of Alabama’s wheelchair basketball team on his New Wave podcast. Clearly, this wide receiver is rapidly climbing the ranks as a role model for the next generation of players. It’s no wonder a 5-star cornerback from the 2026 class is now swooning over “Hollywood” publicly.

On June 14, Brandon Arrington shared an Instagram story featuring a video with Williams. In the clip, Arrington is heard saying, “Yes, Sir. Roll Tide,” while Williams vibes to the chant in the background, accompanied by the tag, “@RYANWMS1 🐘.”

Arrington, a top-ranked ATH from Mount Miguel High School, has kept many suitors on edge, with July 5 set as his decision day. His final list includes Alabama, USC, Oregon, Texas A&M, and Penn State.

When asked about Alabama, Arrington noted the success of West Coast recruits like Dijon Lee, Zabien Brown, and Domani Jackson, stating, “They recruit the West Coast and get top guys from California… and they all do well.” He added, “Then Alabama just produces players. Coach Mo (Maurice Linguist) is a great coach.”

While Arrington’s social media post with Williams is certainly intriguing, it’s too soon to say if it hints at a commitment. What is clear, however, is that Williams is creating an irresistible pull for rising stars who now aspire to be like him. The 18-year-old promises holistic development within the Tuscaloosa camp. This was evident on May 3, when Williams hosted the first of two youth football camps at Milton Frank Stadium, drawing hundreds of campers aged 6-16 who trained under him. Whether Williams will be the deciding factor for Arrington to choose Alabama remains to be seen, but the chase for his commitment is undoubtedly a tough one.

Brandon Arrington proved that he’s built for more than the gridiron 

After all, Arrington brings to the plate much more than football skills.  Talking of him as a football prospect, 247 Sports said, “Two-Sport standout and one of the fastest sprinters in the country. Has personal best times of 10.43-100m and 20.76-200m as a sophomore and could easily double sport in college.” Year after year, the Arcadia Invitational cements its place as the pinnacle of high school track and field competition.

This time, San Diego native Arrington had an absolutely monstrous day, winning both the 100- and 200-meter races. In the 100m, he clocked a 10.32, marking the third fastest time in meet history and winning by a mere 0.01 of a second. However, Arrington’s true heroic moment came in the 200m. He was far more dominant, shattering Olympic gold medalist Noah Lyles‘ meet record of 20.48. That’s a difference of 13 HUNDREDTHS from “THE CHAMP.”

The cornerback ran a blistering 20.35, solidifying his status as the nation’s fastest 200-meter runner. These impressive numbers likely sparked a major “FOMO” for Alabama, along with the other frontrunners vying for Arrington’s commitment. That’s when insider Steve Wiltfong added to the Crimson Tide’s concerns.

He commented, “There have been times where Oregon has looked like number one; they may be the biggest threat right now to Texas A&M, and similar to Tyler Atkinson, it’ll be interesting to see what we’re saying about Oregon’s position for Brandon Arrington coming out of his official visit. I have a feeling they’re [Oregon] really going to move the needle.” Now, Kalen DeBoer’s last card to play is hoping Ryan Williams can help tilt the Arrington race in their favor.