Alabama WR seeks a hard reset in 2026 with a new name and a new number

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. (AP) — Alabama receiver Ryan Williams has a new name and a new number for 2026.

One of the team's most notable players made two notable changes during the offseason. He added Coleman to his now-hyphenated last name to honor his mother and switched from No. 2 to No. 1, returning to the digit he wore in high school for in-state powerhouse Saraland.

Both moves could kick-start a bounceback season for the speedy wideout who struggled to catch the ball last year.

“I have a legacy that I want to write,” Coleman-Williams said Friday. "My mom is a strong part of that. She's my best friend and the name Coleman comes from her. So just want to represent my family to the best of my ability.

“As far as my number, it's just an opportunity to have a hard reset, make me feel like myself again and get ready for a season that doesn't disappoint.”

A preseason All-America selection in 2025, Coleman-Williams had only one 100-yard receiving game last season — in Week 3 against Wisconsin — and led the Football Bowl Subdivision with 13 drops. He finished with 49 receptions for 689 yards and four touchdowns after capturing national attention with 45 catches for 857 yards and eight scores as a freshman.

Alabama reached the College Football Playoff but was dominated in the Rose Bowl, losing 38-3 to eventual national champion Indiana.

“Not necessarily a disappointing (season), but I learned a lot of lessons,” Coleman-Williams said. “I'm just thankful for those lessons and thankful for the opportunity to put some better on display this season.”

Alabama is looking for Coleman-Williams to step into a larger leadership role. He is one of only two returning starters on offense — and the only upperclassman. The Crimson Tide will have a new starting quarterback in 2026, and within Coleman-Williams's position group, there's a new position coach (Derrick Nix) and five new players.

Through the first week of spring practice, coach Kalen DeBoer voiced confidence in how Coleman-Williams has adjusted.

“It feels like he’s seeing an opportunity,” DeBoer said. “He continues to raise the work, raise the level and be efficient in it. He’s always worked. I think where he’s focusing that attention is really intentional. It’s great to see his leadership capabilities. Last year I felt like he took a great step, and now it’s on another level. Our team needs that.”

Coleman-Williams said he “1,000%” feels like his old self through the first few days of practice. That's welcome news as the Crimson Tide's quarterback competition, featuring Austin Mack and Keelon Russell, is one of the most high profile in college football. Creating a bond with Coleman-Williams could be key to winning the job.

And with so many new faces on that side of the ball, getting Coleman-Williams back into his freshman form should help him and the offense maximize their potential.

“He’s so naturally talented and he’s such a hard worker and a great kid,” offensive coordinator Ryan Grubb said. "The ownership he had after the season I think is something that really stands out to me. (We need) a concerted effort on our part to make sure we’re getting him enough touches in every game. If we can’t get him the ball down the field, we got to find a way to get the ball in his hands early.

“He’s shown that he’s really, really electric. If there’s issues with contested catches and things like that, then you got to be more creative and just find ways to get him the football in his hands.”

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FILE - Alabama wide receiver Ryan Williams (2) can't make the catch on fourth down as Oklahoma defensive back Peyton Bowen defends in the closing minutes of the second half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Nov. 15, 2025, in Tuscaloosa, Ala. (AP Photo/Vasha Hunt,File)

FILE - Alabama wide receiver Ryan Williams (2) during the second half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Sept. 13, 2025, in Tuscaloosa, Ala. (AP Photo/Vasha Hunt,File)

BOSTON (AP) — Rasmus Dahlin arrived in Buffalo as the No. 1 overall pick of the 2018 NHL draft wanting to be part of the revival for a city rabid about a Sabres team that hadn't been to playoffs in the six years before his arrival.

Eight seasons later, he not only finally helped the Sabres get back there, but was a key factor in the franchise winning its first postseason series in almost two decades.

Buffalo's 4-1 victory over the Boston Bruins on Friday night wrapped up a 4-2 series victory, securing it a spot in the second round for the first time since 2007.

As the final seconds ticked off the scoreboard, Dahlin took a few extra moments to let it all sink in.

“It was unreal,” said Dahlin, who had a goal and three assists in the series. “I like how we attacked this series as a team. A lot of experienced guys. Playing the way we did all series, it’s pretty cool. We have good things ahead. We can learn a lot from this."

What's ahead is a matchup with either Montreal or Tampa Bay after the Lightning’s 1-0 overtime road win Friday night to force a Game 7.

After watching his team endure the disappointment of a Game 5 overtime loss at home, coach Lindy Ruff could tell they were a little uneasy. After all, Buffalo’s entered that game with a lineup that didn’t have a lot of experience, with just 10 players having previously appeared in an outing with a chance to eliminate an opponent.

But Ruff made his team a promise.

“I told them, ‘We’re going to win the game.' I told them, ‘We’re going to win the series,'" Ruff said. "We've got to do some things better, but we are going to win the game.”

Friday's win marked the second time in franchise history that the Sabres have won their first three road contests of a playoff year. They last did it in 1983 at Montreal (two games) and Boston (one game).

For other veteran players like Alex Tuch, there are loftier goals on his mind.

“For me it’s been five long years of waiting for something special to happen. We’re hoping it’s just the start,” he said. We’re one round into the playoffs and in our eyes we haven’t done anything yet. ... We’re hoping it’s a long road ahead for us. It’s going to be a grind each and every day and we’re going to have to be ready for it.”

Goaltender Alex Lyon played in five of the six games in the series, one more than he did when he was with Florida during the 2022-23 season when it lost to Las Vegas in the Stanley Cup Final.

He allowed just five total goals in his appearances in the series with the Bruins. It is the fewest goals allowed in any five-game span in the playoffs by a Sabres netminder ever.

Lyon believes this team's youth is becoming a positive.

“We're learning every game. That's kind of what's bonded us,” Lyon said. “I find that we're just learning how to handle different situations and kind of learning on the fly.”

Ruff’s only regret is that the Sabres’ home fans couldn’t watch them clinch this series on home ice.

“Would have really liked this game to be in Buffalo,” Ruff said. “It wasn’t. But it would have been special to have this game there.”

AP NHL: https://apnews.com/NHL

Boston Bruins goaltender Jeremy Swayman (1) congratulates Buffalo Sabres goaltender Alex Lyon (34) after the Sabres eliminated the Bruins from the playoffs following Game 6 of a first-round NHL hockey Stanley Cup playoff series, Friday, May 1, 2026, in Boston. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)

Buffalo Sabres goaltender Alex Lyon celebrates with teammates after their team eliminated the Boston Bruins from the playoffs in Game 6 of a first-round NHL hockey Stanley Cup playoff series, Friday, May 1, 2026, in Boston. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)

Boston Bruins goaltender Jeremy Swayman (1) sits on the ice after giving up a goal to Buffalo Sabres left wing Zach Benson (6) during the third period in Game 6 of a first-round NHL hockey Stanley Cup playoff series, Friday, May 1, 2026, in Boston. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)