SOUTHEASTERN CONFERENCE FOOTBALL MEDIA DAYS

July 22, 2026

Ryan Coleman-Williams

Alabama Crimson Tide

Press Conference

Q. What do you hope to prove this season as you try to make it a good year?

RYAN COLEMAN-WILLIAMS: Honestly, just going into this year, my main focus is just trying to be a consistent guy day in and day out. And with the work that I put in, obviously the results will show for themselves. So really just being the best version of myself day in and day out for my squad and for myself.

Q. What's the biggest difference that you've noticed in yourself through your growth from your first start against Western Kentucky in 2024 to what will be your first start this year against East Carolina, both on the field and through your mindset?

RYAN COLEMAN-WILLIAMS: Really just, I mean, with this game, you learn so much, whether that's what inside zone is, or just it's so many things that you can learn from this game. So just enjoying the process of learning and taking everything that I've learned from then until now.

And just being able to move fast because I've been through the things that I've been through to be able to learn and play at a high pace.

Q. Team goals are obviously at the top of your list. What are your individual goals that you aspire to get to to get to those team goals?

RYAN COLEMAN-WILLIAMS: Honestly, for myself, one of the biggest things that's always been important to me is being a team captain for my squad. So I just -- and I think with that it just allows me an opportunity to -- it's like an extra chip on your shoulder just to be able to, like I said, be my best self, because obviously I know the work that I have to put in from now until the first game and even throughout the season.

So really just focusing in on that. But I know the individual accolades will handle themselves. I guess I haven't put too much thought into that.

Q. Compared to your freshman year last season wasn't the best looking back previous stats some people are saying that it's the NCAA cover curse. What do you think about that how do you plan to prove these people wrong?

RYAN COLEMAN-WILLIAMS: I don't believe in anything like that. But definitely, I mean, there's a lot of distraction whenever you're at the top of your game or whenever people feel like you are at the highest of the high. Honestly, just taking all of my experiences and trying to learn and be my best self and really just focus on what got me here, and that's the work.

Q. Wanted to ask you about one of your former Saraland teammates that now joins you in the SEC, DeShawn Spencer. What made him a dynamic player for you guys at Saraland? And how do you see that translating for him in the SEC?

RYAN COLEMAN-WILLIAMS: Just that's what we breed in Saraland. You know we breed workhorses and we depend on each other and we go to workday in day out. And you know just focus on the work, and all of the results will show for themselves, just like they did at the end of his season last year and just like they will in this upcoming season, I believe.

Q. Can you just talk a little bit about your freshman season, kind of a phenomenal season and then last year maybe a little bit down. Can you just talk kind of what have you been doing this offseason specifically to kind of go into this season (indiscernible) freshman?

RYAN COLEMAN-WILLIAMS: So my freshman year, everything was fast-paced. I did a lot of learning. Just really taking those things that I did right throughout my freshman year and taking the things that I could have did better in my sophomore year and taking those things and just building the best version, the best plan for myself going into this year and just trying to replicate it day in and day out.

Q. You guys beat the Sooners last year at the College Football Playoff at their place. What do you remember that was challenging in that game in Norman last year?

RYAN COLEMAN-WILLIAMS: Obviously, starting the game we wanted to -- they got out to an early lead. So obviously not allowing that to happen again because they're a very good team, just like all games in the SEC.

But just being resilient and clawing back and understanding that there's four quarters to a game, and we have to take the positive and the negative from that. You also don't want to be on the other side of that, have a game pretty much over and then allow the opponent to do that because we've done that as well.

So just taking all the lessons from that game and just trying to build on them going into this year.

Q. There's a lot of talk right now about conference championship games potentially going away. You've had a lot of experience in the SEC Championship game. How do you feel about the potential of maybe that being no more?

RYAN COLEMAN-WILLIAMS: Honestly, for me, that's higher than my pay grade. But I just love playing football. So any opportunity I get to play football, obviously I would love to do it.

Just thinking about growing up and watching the SEC Championship, there's been a lot of plays and a lot of amazing moments in that game. Obviously, I would like to play in it, but like I said, it's bigger than me.

Q. Your former teammate, Isaiah Horton, now with the Aggies. What kind of a player is he? What does he bring to a wide receiver room?

RYAN COLEMAN-WILLIAMS: Man, a lot of energy. He's a high-energy guy. I'm super proud of the man he's become, even over just that past year of knowing him. But, yeah, he brings a lot of energy. He's going to make the plays. A consistent guy. He's going to work day in and day out, and I'm excited for what he gets to show.

Q. Ryan, obviously, Coleman in your name, the number change, you've talked about it a bit. But I'm interested, those changes the other changes in your life, how has that shaped your perspective as you enter this season on the game and on life?

RYAN COLEMAN-WILLIAMS: Really, it just allows me to focus on what's important to me just because you know I have people in my corner that have been there the entire time and have stepped up in ways that I couldn't even imagine. So really just paying homage to them. Just trying to be my best self this year.

Q. Freshman year, you and Jalen Milroe were like the dynamic duo on the field. Do you have a similar bond with the quarterback room this year?

RYAN COLEMAN-WILLIAMS: I mean, definitely. With this being my third year, having a different quarterback every year, it's a growth opportunity just because if I have the opportunity to play in the National Football League, sometimes that might be the case as well. So really just trying to maximize the time I can spend with my quarterbacks just because, obviously on Saturdays, you know, we're going to need that time put in.

Q. I know it's a long way out until the end of the season and time to start making decisions, but have there been any conversations yet between you and your family, anybody in the Alabama program, about whether or not you're ready to take that next step to the NFL, or are you planning to take a fourth year in college, or are you going to go straight to the NFL after this season?

RYAN COLEMAN-WILLIAMS: I mean, honestly, for me, you know, I've just been focusing on getting ready for fall camp. If I'm being just honest about it. But I get my degree this December and that's super exciting for me. So really just focusing in on this season and getting my degree.

After that, like you said, there will be decisions to be made. But I'm just excited for right now.