The weekend set tongues wagging among Alabama football fans after superstar wide receiver Ryan Williams announced some unexpected personal news.
According to several reports, Williams, 19 years old, became engaged to 25-year-old girlfriend Alexis Ellis on Valentine’s Day, according to a post on Ellis’ Instagram stories.
Williams made no such announcement on his official Instagram account, and the trolls came out in full force.
“Congrats! Alabama’s 19-year-old star WR Ryan Williams has announced his engagement to 25-year-old girlfriend Alexis Hill,” NFL influencer Dov Kleiman wrote on his official X account on Tuesday. “Hill has one child with a different baby daddy. A six year age gap … Congratulations to the happy couple.”
Hill posted a picture of herself with the engagement ring on to her IG stories again on Tuesday.
Williams is one of the highest-paid wide receivers in college football, with an estimated NIL value of somewhere between $2 million to $3 million for the 2026 season after he was paid an estimated $2 million in 2025 as the Crimson Tide returned to the College Football Playoff.
Williams Took Massive Step Backwards in 2025
While Alabama found itself in the spotlight again in 2025 and playing for a national title, Williams did little to help them achieve higher than they did.
Williams, who played his 1st college football at 17 years old after graduating high school 1 year early, was one of the nation’s best wide receivers in 2024 with 48 receptions for 865 yards and 10 total touchdowns in 13 games as he was named All-SEC and All-American.
In 2025, Williams had 49 receptions for 689 yards and 4 touchdowns in 14 games as he led the nation in dropped passes.
“Alabama sophomore WR Ryan Williams has the MOST drops in the FBS this season with 13 and has 17 drops over the last two years, ranking him among the worst in the nation in drop rate,” Football Forever wrote on its official Instagram account on December 20. “Seven of Williams’ 13 drops this season are on passes 10+ yards downfield, eliminating potential touchdowns and explosive plays.”
Williams’ struggles led to speculation he might enter the transfer portal after the season — something he quickly addressed as a non-issue.
“Of course (I’m returning),” Williams told AL.com’s Nick Kelly on December 30. “I’m Alabama through and through. I have no intentions of being anywhere else.”
Williams Could Be 1st Round Pick in 2027 NFL Draft
If Williams can return to being the player he was during his freshman season in 2024, there’s little doubt he will be a 1st round pick in the 2027 NFL draft — possibly even a Top 10 pick.
That’s great news for a guy about to start a new family with Ellis, who hard-launched her relationship with Williams with an Instagram post following a 30-14 win over No. 16 Vanderbilt on October 4 after Williams led the Crimson Tide with 6 receptions for 98 yards and 1 touchdown.
From College Football Network: “Hill shared some snaps with of herself from the stands as she sports a white top with custom Alabama-themed blue jeans with Ryan Williams‘ No. 2 jersey on it, as well as some oversized sunglasses. In her Instagram post, Hill also shared a postgame hug with Williams after his heroics on the field.”
Alabama WR Ryan Williams Shocks Fans With Massive Personal News