Alabama coaching change definitely helps Auburn football some in Ryan Williams flip pursuit: Analyst

Auburn Daily's Andrew Stefaniak believes Alabama losing Holmon Wiggins to Mike Elko's Texas A&M staff definitely helps Hugh Freeze's Auburn football program some in their flip pursuit of star Saraland receiver Ryan Williams, the 2023-24 Alabama Gatorade Player of the Year; deemed by Stefaniak a future NFL first-rounder.

"When the dust clears from the All-American game, Wiggins leaving for Texas A&M could have an effect on the recruitment of Williams and definitely helps the Auburn Tigers some," Stefaniak wrote.

"Williams will be on the Plains for a visit February 3rd so Coach Freeze and the staff will have another opportunity to try and land a player who many believe could be a first-round pick in the NFL Draft in the future."

Just one month ago, The Auburn Villager's Chris Mendoza had deemed such a scenario unlikely.

“The next big name Freeze likely wants to see flip is Alabama receiver commit Ryan Williams, who will likely announce his reclassification from 2025 to 2024,” Mendoza prefaced before saying, “Williams is expected to announce his reclassification sometime Monday and will start making official visits.

“A flip from Williams is unlikely, but Auburn has not backed down from its pursuit of the Saraland speedster. A commitment from Williams would solidify this class of receivers as one of the greatest in program history.”

Wiggins' departure changes the game on Williams' decision.

Ryan Williams has chance to make history as part of historic Auburn football WR class in 2024

Joining Alabama as planned and staying with incoming 5-star Julian Sayin presumably the long-term option and Jalen Milroe the potential 2024 starter is certainly a safe option for Williams. But Auburn is the spectacular one given the two 5-star recruits (Cam Coleman, Perry Thompson) and two other in-state blue-chips (Bryce Cain, Malcolm Simmons) elevating the big-play potential on offense to a level the Plains has never seen from its receiving corps.

With neither Texas or Alabama, Williams' two main non-AU choices, still able to add championship momentum to their pitch, the Tigers lurk as an ominous flip threat to the Tide; particularly if the QB room can add a big name (Kaidon Salter anyone?) via the transfer portal to compete with Hank Brown, Walker White, and Payton Thorne.