In 2018, Central-Phenix City receiver Justyn Ross picked Clemson over Alabama on National Signing Day.

Now, two recruiting cycles later, Red Devils’ star E.J. Williams is the state’s No. 1 receiving prospect. While he’s narrowed his choices to Alabama, Auburn, Tennessee, Oklahoma, Florida LSU and Clemson, many recruiting analysts see Williams as an Alabama vs. Clemson battle.

The 6-foot-3 Williams plans to make his public commitment Aug. 24 and said at The Opening Finals in Frisco, Texas, that Alabama is currently his leader.

“This is how I’m feeling right now,” he said. “There’s no telling how I’m going to feel later.”

What does Williams like about Alabama?

“Bama is one of the schools that’s got the best competition,” he said. “You go against the best guys that go in the first or second round. They’re producing great wide receivers.”

Alabama has produced several receivers picked in the first round during the Nick Saban Era – Calvin Ridley in 2018, Amari Cooper in 2015, and Julio Jones in 2011, as well as tight end O.J. Howard in 2017.

Crimson Tide receivers Jerry Jeudy, Henry Ruggs and Devonta Smith, all juniors, could leave for the NFL after this season, which might give Williams a shot at immediate playing time.

Williams said whether Jeudy, Ruggs, Devonta Smith or all three head early to the NFL has no influence on his college choice.

“If they don’t (go to the NFL), it doesn’t matter,” he said. “That’s just another year under my belt of experience and learning from those guys, just listening to what they’re doing and developing at practice if I did go (to Alabama).”

Ross, Williams said, is trying to woo the Central-Phenix City star to Clemson.

“I look up to him, and he tells me to go where I want to go,” Williams said. “Of course, he wants me to go to Clemson.”

Alabama already has three committed receivers – Thaiu Jones-Bell, from south Florida; Javon Baker, from Powder Springs, Georgia; and Traeshon Holden, who transferred to Narbonne High in Harbor City, California, for his senior season. All are 4-star prospects.

Clemson, meanwhile, has no receivers among its 18 committed players.

A wildcard in Williams’ recruitment could be Auburn, which already has four committed receivers – 4-star Kobe Hudson from Troup County (Ga.); 4-star Ze’Vian Capers, from Alpharetta, Georgia; 4-star Montevallo star J.J. Evans; and 3-star Elijah Canion, from Hollywood, Florida. Williams said Hudson is “like a brother to me.”

But the number of committed receivers, Williams insisted, doesn’t matter to him.

“It’s not going to matter who’s (committed) there already,” he said. “I’m just going to go in with the mindset that I’m the best player on the field.”