Nick Saban compared him to Amari Cooper, but Ryan Williams’ game as a first-year wide receiver for Alabama is probably a pure mix of DeVonta Smith and Jameson Williams.
The former five-star player was incredibly good in three games of the Kalen DeBoer era.
He has ten catches for 285 yards and four touchdowns, making him the Crimson Tide’s leading receiver in all three areas.
December 19, 2020; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide wide receiver DeVonta Smith (6) reacts after scoring a touchdown in the fourth quarter against the Florida Gators in the SEC Championship game at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Mandatory Photo Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports
Williams aspires to be at the same or better level as Smith was in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. Smith, a Louisiana native, is the Tide’s all-time leader in catches (235), yards (3,965) and touchdowns (46). He dominated the 2020 COVID pandemic season with 117 catches for 1,856 yards and 23 touchdowns, winning the Heisman Memorial Trophy. Smith was a two-time College Football Playoff national champion (2017, 2020), SEC Offensive Player of the Year (2020), Unanimous All-American (2020) and a first-team All-SEC selection for the Tide (2019, 2020). He was selected in the first round of the 2021 NFL Draft by the Philadelphia Eagles and has had success in the league. Williams told reporters Friday that he trains like Smith.
“We were about the same size when we came in,” Williams said of his desire to follow Smith’s training regimen. “I’m just trying to figure out how he stayed healthy all that time and was able to play all those games. It was only right and he was the Heisman Trophy winner, so it’s something I strive for.”
Smith’s training plan, according to Williams, consists of strengthening his ankles.
“It strengthens joints that are probably going to hurt you as a little person,” Williams said. “Like rolling your ankles and stuff, but it just strengthens those.”
Smith never suffered a major injury in college and that helped him achieve success.
Williams has taken this seriously and wants to follow in his footsteps to become the next Heisman winner as a wide receiver.
