MONTGOMERY, Ala. — Saraland High School wide receiver Ryan Wiliams was announced Tuesday as the Alabama Sportswriters Association’s Mr. Football for the 2023 season at the Mr. Football Luncheon held at Montgomery’s Renaissance Hotel and Convention Center. The Alabama High School Athletic Directors and Coaches Association sponsored the Luncheon and ALFA was the presenting sponsor for the Mr. Football Award.
Williams, a junior last fall who has since re-classified as a senior, became the first player in the award’s 42-year history to be a repeat winner. Had he not re-classified in December, he would have the chance to earn a three-peat.
The 6-foot-1, 175-pound Williams, who committed to the University of Alabama, was also named Class 6A Back of the Year for the second straight year. He beat out Saraland quarterback and teammate K.J. Lacey and Clay-Chalkville quarterback/defensive back Jaylen Mbakwe, who earned MVP honors in the Class 6A finals in December. Williams led Saraland to the 2022 Class 6A state title as a sophomore and to the 6A state finals last December – making 11 catches in the championship game at Bryant-Denny Stadium for a Super 7 state record 12 receptions for 232 yards and two TDs. In the 2022 Class 6A state finals, he earned MVP honors with 13 catches for 179 yards and three TDs and earned Mr. Football for the first time with 88 catches, 1,641 receiving yards and 24 TDs.
He finished the 2023 season with 71 receptions for 1,329 yards and 19 touchdowns, rushed for 269 yards, threw for one TD, and returned a punt and kickoff for TDs in 2023 as Saraland. The Spartans were 14-1 in each of the last two seasons. Williams also earned MVP honors as Alabama beat Mississippi last December in the Alabama-Mississippi All-Star Football Classic.
Williams closed his prep career with 187 receptions in 39 games for 3,254 receiving yards and 47 TDs. He also had 94 rush attempts for 1,078 yards and 24 TDs. He had 4,440 career total yards with 71 TDs. As a kick returner, he had three punt returns and one kickoff return for TDs. He also has been an outstanding sprinter for Saraland’s track team.
Other individual Class Backs and Linemen of the Year announced at the luncheon Tuesday include:
BACKS OF THE YEAR
Class 7A – Cam Coleman, Central-Phenix City
Class 6A – Ryan Williams, Saraland High School
Class 5A – Ronnie Royal, Gulf Shores High School
Class 4A – Jacob Cornejo, Cherokee County High School
Class 3A – K.J. Jackson, Saint James School
Class 2A – Preston Lancaster, Tuscaloosa Academy
Class 1A – Alvin Henderson, Elba HS
AISA – Clayton Hussey, Lowndes Academy
And the 2023 Class Linemen of the Year were:
LINEMEN OF THE YEAR
Class 7A – Bradley Shaw, Hoover High School
Class 6A – D.J. Barber, Clay-Chalkville High School
Class 5A – Q.B. Reese, Ramsay High School
Class 4A – Joseph Phillips, B.T. Washington HS, Tuskegee
Class 3A – Kentonio Kelly Jr., Mobile Christian
Class 2A – Tucker Wilks, Fyffe High School
Class 1A – Tim Parnell, Leroy High School
AISA – Jay Lindsey, Patrician Academy
“I think he is just scratching the surface of what he could possibly be down the road,” Saraland head coach Jeff Kelly said of Williams. “He’s about to go into a new world with new challenges, but if anyone is ready to compete right now, I think he has a chance to do that.”
Williams re-committed to Alabama last week after decommitting when UA Coach Nick Saban retired on Jan. 10. He is expected to sign with the Tide next week and report this summer after completing his high school work.
“In my 25 years of coaching, Ryan Williams tops the list of players I’ve been around coaching wise in terms of knowledge, athletic ability and attitude – just the whole package,” said Enterprise coach Ben Blackmon, who coached the Alabama All-Stars. “He’s got great tools as a player, but he is very personable as well and very humble.”
ALL-TIME MR. FOOTBALL WINNERS
2023: Ryan Williams, Saraland (wide receiver)
2022: Ryan Williams, Saraland (wide receiver)
2021: Ryan Peppins, Thompson (wide receiver)
2020: Ga’Quincy McKinstry, Pinson Valley (defensive back/wide receiver)
2019: Kristian Story, Lanett (quarterback/defensive back)
2018: Bo Nix, Pinson Valley (quarterback)
2017: Asa Martin, Austin (running back)
2016: La’Damian Webb, Beauregard (running back)
2015: Tyler Johnston, Spanish Fort (quarterback)
2014: Kerryon Johnson, Madison Academy (running back/receiver)
2013: Roc Thomas, Oxford (running back)
2012: Jeremy Johnson, Carver-Montgomery (quarterback)
2011: T.J. Yeldon, Daphne (running back)
2010: Jamal Golden, Wetumpka (quarterback)
2009: Coty Blanchard, Cherokee County (quarterback)
2008: Clint Moseley, Leroy (quarterback)
2007: Julio Jones, Foley (wide receiver)
2006: Larry Smith, Prattville (quarterback)
2005: Andre Smith, Huffman (offensive guard)
2004: Jarod Bryant, Hoover (quarterback)
2003: Chris Nickson, Pike County (quarterback)
2002: JaMarcus Russell, Williamson (quarterback)
2001: Brandon Cox, Hewitt-Trussville (quarterback)
2000: Carnell Williams, Etowah (running back)
1999: Cory Whisenant, Springville (running back)
1998: DeMarco McNeil, Blount (defensive lineman)
1997: Mac Campbell, Alexandria (running back)
1996: Antoneyo Williams, Central-Tuscaloosa (running back)
1995: Gorman Thornton, Jeff Davis (tight end/defensive end)
1994: Dawud Rasheed, Shades Valley (running back)
1993: Thomas Banks, West Jefferson (running back)
1992: Freddie Kitchens, Etowah (quarterback)
1991: Robert Davis, Homewood (running back)
1990: David Palmer, Jackson-Olin (quarterback/wide receiver)
1989: Steve Coleman, Pike County (running back)
1988: Darrell Williams, Vigor (running back)
1987: Robert Jones, Parker (running back)
1986: Larry Ware, Lee-Montgomery (running back)
1985: Pierre Goode, Hazlewood (running back)
1984: Rod Green, Gardendale (wide receiver)
1983: Freddy Weygand, Emma Sansom (wide receiver)
1982: Tommy Compton, Vigor (quarterback)