Freshmen Ryan Williams and Zabien Brown both came to Alabama football as five-star recruits and as some of the highest-ranked prospects within the Crimson Tide 's 2024 class, and both are seemingly living up to the hype.
Williams, a native of Saraland, Alabama, is supposed to be a senior in high school but joined Alabama this summer. Brown , who hails from Santa Ana, California, early enrolled at UA, joining the program in January.
When speaking to the media on Thursday, DeBoer offered praise to the true freshmen, saying they have been "thrown in there" but have taken "full advantage" of their opportunities.
"They're just both so advanced in different ways," DeBoer said. "It might be athleticism and also just maturity and understanding what the commitment is. At that age I think a lot of guys don't realize what it really takes. They still probably don't understand, but they're farther along in figuring that out than most guys that come in.
"They are getting better, they are going to continue to get better just because of how young they are still."
Williams is competing for playing time in an Alabama wide receiver room that is headlined by Kobe Prentice , Kendrick Law and Germie Bernard . While it is unclear when the freshman will immediately see playing time, Williams has continually to garnered strong praise through fall camp and has been seen making impressive plays, including a one-handed grab on the first day of practice.
Brown, on the other hand, is competing for playing time in a new-look Alabama cornerback room. Through spring and fall practices, Brown has been seen getting first-team reps alongside former high school teammate Domani Jackson within Alabama's backfield.
Brown is working through injury and has been seen practicing with a cast on his left hand, with defensive coordinator Kane Wommack previously saying he was working on a 'pitch count.' His injury, though, does not seem to be of huge concern to coaches, with the freshmen still participating in practices and scrimmages.
"That showed a lot right there, that he wants to be out there," DeBoer said. "Not that there was an option or anything, he went out there and wanted to go get some reps and easily could've said I am not comfortable yet."
Alabama wraps up its preseason fall camp this week, officially starting the 2024 season next Saturday when it hosts Western Kentucky at Saban Field at Bryant-Denny Stadium.
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This article originally appeared on The Tuscaloosa News: Alabama football: Kalen DeBoer on Ryan Williams, Zabien Brown in fall camp
