How Alabama’s Ryan Williams trains like DeVonta Smith

Ryan Williams not only hopes to become Alabama’s next great football receiver, he’s also trying to train like one of them: DeVonta Smith.

Smith, known as the “Lean Reaper,” has a similar stature to Williams and is a good player to emulate given his success, so Williams decided to request Smith’s training plan.

“We were just about the same size coming in and trying to figure out how to keep him healthy,” Williams said Friday. “Basically, he was able to play all those games all the time… He won the Heisman Trophy. That’s definitely something I aspire to.”

Williams is 6’0″ and weighs 175 pounds. Smith was 6’1″ and weighs 175 pounds in his freshman season at Alabama.

So what does DeVonta Smith’s training plan look like?

“I’m strengthening my ankles,” Williams said. “The joints that you’re most likely to injure as a little person. Sprains and things like that.”

Williams has already proven himself to be one of the Crimson Tide’s best receivers as a freshman three games into the season. In three games, Williams has caught 10 passes for 285 yards and four touchdowns.

The Saraland native will play in his first SEC game next weekend. After an off date this Saturday, No. 4 Alabama will face No. 1/2 Georgia on Saturday, Sept. 28 (6:30 p.m. CT, ABC) at Bryant-Denny Stadium.