Ryan Williams’ decision to reclassify from Alabama football’s Class of 2025 to the Crimson Tide’s 2024 class could change how players get paid in college football and the NFL forever, writes A to Z Sports’ Zach Ragan.

If the 17-year-old Williams’ transition to the NFL goes well, Ragan believes more receivers will try to follow his model; which could yield two, or even three, nine-figure contracts before he turns 30.

“Williams’ decision to reclassify is something we could start to see more often from elite high school players because of the financial impact it can have on a player’s future NFL career,” Ragan wrote.

“At worst, Williams is getting his first big contract extension going into his age 24 season. Depending on how his first three seasons play out (and depending on which team drafts him), it’s possible that he could receive that extension going into his age 23 season. Regardless of whether the extension happens at age 23 or 24, it sets Williams up to potentially receive a second massive contract extension somewhere around ages 26 to 28. Then he could probably land another decent contract his his early 30s.”

Williams didn’t renege on his commitment to Alabama after Nick Saban retired because he saw the forest through the trees. Playing for Kalen DeBoer is merely a vehicle to get his NFL millions.

Alabama star Ryan Williams started at QB before transitioning to WR

Williams was a quarterback in middle school before transitioning to receiver due to Saraland’s need for a third receiver. Perhaps that’s why he has such a strong understanding of route-running and how to trip up DBs.

Williams has become a star as one of the biggest mismatches in the sport. It makes all the sense in the world that he can read a defense better than most WRs in the country.