These 5 Alabama football players made ESPN’s top 100 for 2025
With less than a week to go until the 2025 college football season kicks off in Week 0, ESPN has released its much-anticipated list of the top 100 players in the sport — and, as usual, Alabama Crimson Tide is well represented.
The Crimson Tide boasted five players on the list:
-
Wide receiver Ryan Williams stands as the highest-ranked UA player at No. 12, entering his sophomore year
-
Alongside Williams, the other four Alabama standouts on the list are:
-
Kadyn Proctor
-
Deontae Lawson
-
LT Overton
-
Parker Brailsford
-
What makes these selections notable?
-
Ryan Williams: After a torrid true-freshman campaign, Williams earned SEC Freshman of the Week, racked up 48 receptions for 865 yards and eight touchdowns, and captured national attention with a game-winning 75-yard touchdown against Georgia . ESPN’s Chris Low emphasized his deep-threat capability and explosiveness, noting his sudden cool-down late in the season didn’t overshadow just how dynamic he can be Kadyn Proctor: A massive presence at 6-foot-7 and 366 pounds, Proctor draws attention as possibly “the best offensive lineman in the country this season.” He’s a unanimous Preseason All-American and a key anchor on the offensive front
-
Deontae Lawson: A senior linebacker who’s already earned recognition as a Preseason All-America on earlier lists (Phil Steele, ESPN, Athlon), Lawson provides veteran leadership and defensive toughness LT Overton and Parker Brailsford: Both seasoned upperclassmen (DL for Overton; guard for Brailsford), they’ve been honored in various All-America preseason recognitions—Brailsford especially getting nods from Phil Steele and the AP
Why this matters for Alabama heading into 2025
Alabama has consistently been a powerhouse, and having five players ranked in ESPN’s top 100 underscores that reputation. It reflects both the star power and depth of the roster:
-
Offensive firepower, led by Williams and secured up front by Proctor and Brailsford.
-
Defensive backbone with Lawson and Overton anchoring their respective units.
ESPN’s list, especially coming from a panel of analysts like David Hale, Adam Rittenberg, Chris Low, Paolo Uggetti, and Bill Connelly, balances hard data with expertise — making these recognitions meaningful predictors for the season ahead
Suggested post continuation
Here’s how you could carry on your post to highlight these players and paint a compelling preview:
With Ty Simpson tapped as the starting quarterback, the spotlight now turns to how this elite group will shape Bama’s identity in 2025. Williams provides the big-play juice on offense, while Proctor and Brailsford anchor the trenches. Defensively, Lawson and Overton bring the experience and grit necessary to hold the line.
Expect Williams to exploit mismatches and stretch defenses deep—he’s already shown he can win one-on-one battles and shift momentum in a flash. Proctor, with his rare combination of size and athleticism, gives new meaning to “game manager” up front. On the back end, Lawson’s instincts and sideline-to-sideline range, plus Overton’s disruptive presence on the defensive line, could be pivotal against the SEC’s top offenses.
All told, these five players aren’t just individual stars—they’re pillars of a team that, despite recent setbacks, has genuine title aspirations once again.
