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Kalen DeBoer anticipates a strong resurgence from Ryan Coleman-Williams for Alabama football. He emphasizes the player's significant impact as the team prepares for the upcoming season.
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Kalen DeBoer wants to simplify the conversation surrounding Ryan Coleman-Williams.
The Alabama football coach knows the pressure his star receiver faces. And DeBoer knows better than anyone that Coleman-Williams’ expectations for himself have never wavered. But when it comes to Coleman-Williams’ impact heading into his junior season with the Crimson Tide, DeBoer views it as undeniable, yet incredibly simple.
“Man, we are a better football team because he’s here,” DeBoer told The Tuscaloosa News.
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That’s the starting point for Coleman-Williams. It’s been consistent, DeBoer said, even if, externally, Coleman-Williams’ career has felt like a roller coaster.
Coleman-Williams’ freshman campaign was crazy, DeBoer said. After recording 865 receiving yards and 10 total touchdowns in an age-17 season that was “so explosive that everyone expects the number to just double naturally,” DeBoer said, Coleman-Williams had an offseason filled with injuries that held him back from development. Coleman-Williams’ production waned dramatically, recording 689 yards and four touchdowns and leaving external questions of who the Alabama receiver could be long-term.
Kalen DeBoer believes that Alabama football is a better team with Ryan Coleman-Williams on the roster, highlighting his undeniable influence.
Ryan Coleman-Williams' expectations for himself have remained high as he approaches his junior season with Alabama.
Kalen DeBoer aims to simplify discussions about Ryan Coleman-Williams, focusing on his contributions and importance to the team.

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But DeBoer was never one to question Coleman-Williams.
“There are some bumps in the road that everyone has and I couldn't be more proud of the way he’s responded,” DeBoer said. “It says a lot of who he is.”
As a definitive junior season approaches, one with a three-and-done NFL decision looming, Coleman-Williams has been healthy all offseason, DeBoer said. Coleman-Williams has used the time to become the leader the Crimson Tide needs, a transition that has been natural.
And in that, DeBoer has seen what he’s always known from Coleman-Williams: an expected explosiveness and consistency in each rep that the head coach expects to carry into the fall.
“Man, I think everyone already roots for him at a high level, but internally, seeing the work that he puts in each and every day, he is extremely easy to root for and lock arms with to want to go to battle each and every Saturday with,” DeBoer said.
Colin Gay covers Alabama football for The Tuscaloosa News, part of the USA TODAY Network. Reach him at cgay@gannett.com or follow him @_ColinGay on X, formerly known as Twitter.
This article originally appeared on The Tuscaloosa News: Kalen DeBoer on Ryan Williams Alabama football junior season