3 Alabama commits honored by ASWA; offer thoughts on Kalen DeBoer’s new staff
On a star-studded afternoon at the Montgomery Renaissance Hotel, the best Alabama high school football had to offer gathered for the annual Alabama Sports Writers Association Mr. Football banquet. Unsurprisingly, some future members of the Crimson Tide were recognized.
A trio of Alabama football players took home four awards: Patrician Academy’s Jay Lindsey won AISA Lineman of the Year; Ramsay linebacker Quinton ‘QB’ Reese earned Class 5A Lineman of the Year; and recent recommit Ryan Williams of Saraland made history by becoming the first two-time Mr. Football honoree.
Williams was also Class 6A Back of the Year over his future teammate Jalyen Mbakwe of Clay-Chalkville. Two other commits, Central-Phenix City’s Isaia Faga and Spanish Fort’s Sterling Dixon, were also nominated in their respective categories.
“It would mean a lot,” Williams said before his name was called. “I’ll be extremely honored and then everybody will have to argue with their mama cause I’m the best player to ever come through.”
Williams and Mbakwe, almost inseparable during a visit to Tuscaloosa before Williams’ announcement, were seated together in Ballroom A. They joked with Williams’ high school teammate and future Texas quarterback KJ Lacey, flashing horns down for a photo. Williams said he’s excited to link up with new Alabama quarterback Austin Mack, who followed DeBoer from Washington via the transfer portal.
Williams joins Freddie Kitchens (1992), Julio Jones (2007) and Kool-Aid McKinstry (2020), among others, as other Mr. Football winners who continued their careers in Tuscaloosa. Kristian Story, who won in 2019, transferred to Kentucky for his final season earlier this month.
“He has some experience just watching a national championship caliber team and he can throw the ball really well,” Williams said. “I think with our connection, we’ll score a lot of touchdowns and win a lot of games.”
For Reese, he told AL.com he’s taking his official visit to Tuscaloosa this weekend. He originally committed to Nick Saban and the former staff in September and met with his new prospective coaches last week in Birmingham. A three-star linebacker, Reese said he’s built a fast relationship with DeBoer and defensive coordinator Kane Wommack.
“It’s a blessing knowing they value me and welcome me to the program,” Reese said. He plans to sign his paperwork on Feb. 7, National Signing Day.
Lindsey — who was surprised to be nominated by the ASWA for one of the best independent-school players in the state — he noted it was a “tough little patch” of time following Saban’s retirement on Jan. 10 and the departure of his recruiter and tight ends coach Joe Cox (Ole Miss). Yet, upon meeting DeBoer and position coach Nick Sheridan, Lindsey felt like there wasn’t a better option for UA athletic director Greg Byrne.
DeBoer welcomed Lindsey for a 45-minute conversation in his office last week, Lindsey said. And afterward, Lindsey felt like DeBoer was a “stand-up guy.” Lindsey will enroll in the summer after graduation.
“Over the past two times we’ve been up there we’ve bonded. We hadn’t talked much football, honestly, just been getting to know each other and it’s been very, very good. No forced conversations. We get along very easily. … It means a lot that a coach can sit down and just talk to you person to person not player to coach.”
Fittingly, Williams and Lindsey ended their speeches with a “Roll Tide.”
MORE KALEN DEBOER
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Analyzing what Ryan Williams’ choice means for Kalen DeBoer and Alabama
Alabama to add Washington WR Germie Bernard from transfer portal, per reports
Former 5-star QB Julian Sayin becomes the latest Bama transfer to pick Ohio State
Report: Alabama’s DeBoer rejected 2 Washington extensions, $9.4 million annually
Nick Alvarez is a reporter for Alabama Media Group. Follow him on Twitter @nick_a_alvarez or email him at NAlvarez@al.com.
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