After the news of Nick Saban's retirement, Auburn football wide receiver target Ryan Williams has decommitted from Alabama
The day that Auburn football fans have been dreaming about for years has finally arrived. Nick Saban informed his football team earlier today that he would be retiring, sending the world of college football into a simultaneous tailspin and celebration.
But perhaps the biggest news to come out of Saban's retirement announcement was what came afterward, when Hayes Fawcett announced on X, formerly Twitter, that 5-star wide receiver Ryan Williams has officially decommitted from Alabama and that Saban's retirement was a big factor.
BREAKING: Five-Star Plus+ WR Ryan Williams tells me he has Decommitted from Alabama
— Hayes Fawcett (@Hayesfawcett3) January 10, 2024
The Top 10 Recruit in the ‘24 Class will Commit & Sign in February
The Departure of Coach Saban & Wiggins played a major factor in his decision, Williams saidhttps://t.co/xI19QG2kaY pic.twitter.com/KQdMZBfCEd
While Williams has been firm about his commitment to the Tide throughout his recruitment, Auburn football never gave up on trying to pull off their second wide receiver flip from Alabama. Williams spent a lot of time with Auburn wide receivers Perry Thompson and Cam Coleman, even taking in an Auburn basketball game with the pair and other signees in December.
Originally a member of the recruiting class of 2025, Williams announced in early December that he would be reclassifying to 2024. His intention has always been to sign with his chosen team on signing day in February. For a long time, it looked like Williams would stick with the Tide, but after his decommitment announcement, it seems like all signs are pointing to the Auburn Tigers.
Williams would be the final member of the group referred to as The Freeze Five, or the five wide receiver signees in the recruiting class of 2024. Cam Coleman, Perry Thompson, Bryce Cain, and Malcolm Simmons are the other members, and Coleman said back in December he thought of Ryan Williams as "the fifth infinity stone."
Fawcett noted in his post on X that Williams intends to commit and sign in February, meaning it could be another month before the wide receiver decides if he will play for the Tigers. However, an official decommitment from the Tide can only mean good things for Auburn football.