Ryan Williams doesn’t just hope to be the next great Alabama football receiver. He’s trying to train like one: DeVonta Smith.

Known as the “slim reaper,” Smith has a stature similar to Williams, and he’s a good player to try and emulate considering all his success. So Williams decided to request Smith’s training plan.

“Just us roughly being the same size when we came in, trying to figure out how he stayed healthy,” Williams said Friday. “Basically the whole time, was able to play all those games … He was a Heisman Trophy winner. That’s definitely something I’m striving for.”

Williams is listed at 6-foot, 175 pounds. Smith was listed at 6-foot-1, 165 pounds his freshman season at Alabama.

So what does the DeVonta Smith training plan look like?

“Strengthening my ankles,” Williams said. “The joints that you will most likely injure as a little person. Rolling your ankle and stuff like that.”

Williams, even as a true freshman, has emerged as a top receiving weapon for the Crimson Tide three games into the season. Williams has caught 10 receptions for 285 yards and four touchdowns over three games.

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

Nick Kelly is an Alabama beat writer for AL.com and the Alabama Media Group. Follow him on X and Instagram.