Alabama’s rising star Ryan Coleman-Williams has been selected for the 2026 Maxwell Award preseason watch list, a distinction that places him among the nation’s most watched collegiate players heading into the upcoming season. He is the sole Alabama representative on the list of over 80 candidates, underscoring the significance of his candidacy.
A Legacy of Excellence
The Maxwell Award, presented annually to the most outstanding player in college football, has been claimed by five Alabama alumni during the Nick Saban era, including AJ McCarron, Derrick Henry, Tua Tagovailoa, DeVonta Smith and Bryce Young. Their achievements have contributed to Alabama’s five award wins, setting a high bar for current and future players.
Coleman-Williams enters his junior year after posting 49 receptions for 689 yards and four touchdowns in the previous season. Over his first two collegiate campaigns he has accumulated 97 catches, 1,554 yards and 12 touchdowns, establishing himself as the team’s top wide receiver on the depth chart.
Looking Ahead to the 2026 Campaign
The Crimson Tide will open the 2026 season on Saturday, September 5, hosting East Carolina at home. Kickoff is scheduled for noon Eastern time, and the game will be broadcast on ABC, giving the program a national platform to showcase Coleman-Williams’s abilities early in the year.
With the guidance of head coach Nick Saban and the tradition of excellence that surrounds the program, expectations are high for Coleman-Williams to build on his previous production and contend for the award as the season progresses.