Alabama’s Ryan Williams shares insights on offseason training sessions with DeVonta Smith.

Alabama football recruited Ryan Williams with the expectation that he would become its next dynamic wide receiver, following in the footsteps of Heisman Trophy winner DeVonta Smith.

Alabama wide receiver Ryan Williams recently trained with Crimson Tide legend and Heisman Trophy winner DeVonta Smith in Tampa, Florida, before starting summer workouts in Tuscaloosa. In an interview with ESPN’s Rece Davis on the College GameDay podcast, Williams shared insights from the experience, highlighting Smith’s mentorship and technical expertise. Williams noted Smith’s deliberate approach, emphasizing consistency in movements, particularly how he makes every route look vertical and sinks his hips to deceive defenders. Williams praised Smith’s ability to control his body despite his smaller frame, calling it “truly remarkable,” and said he learned valuable details to elevate his own game. He also described Smith as an “even better person” who embraced him during their workouts, fostering a collaborative environment where they bounced ideas off each other.

Alabama wide receiver Ryan Williams, in an interview on the College GameDay podcast with ESPN’s Rece Davis, reflected on his offseason training with Crimson Tide legend and 2024 Super Bowl champion DeVonta Smith in Tampa, Florida. Williams expressed admiration for Smith, saying, “(It was) just learning from a guy that’s really defied a lot of odds. Like, he’s an amazing football player, but he’s an even better person.” He highlighted the collaborative nature of their workouts, noting how they bounced ideas off each other, which made the experience “super fun.” Williams has been applying the technical insights he gained, particularly Smith’s ability to make every route appear vertical and control his body despite his smaller frame, to his own game.

In his freshman season, Williams adapted to new head coach Kalen DeBoer, who replaced Nick Saban. Alabama faced a challenging 9-4 season, a stark contrast to the Saban era, and missed the College Football Playoffs, leaving DeBoer visibly disappointed. Looking ahead, Williams expressed enthusiasm for the upcoming season, saying, “I’m just super excited for this season,” as he continues to integrate lessons from Smith to elevate his performance.