Alabama wide receiver Ryan Williams is making the most of his first offseason in Tuscaloosa, and he’s doing it with the help of one of the most iconic players in Crimson Tide history. The true freshman, already considered one of the most electrifying young talents in college football, is being mentored by none other than DeVonta Smith—the 2020 Heisman Trophy winner and two-time national champion who helped redefine the standard for excellence at wide receiver at Alabama. For Williams, this is more than just offseason conditioning. It’s a rare opportunity to soak in the wisdom of a player who not only walked the same path but carved it in gold.
Since arriving on campus, Williams has shown flashes of greatness. His blend of speed, footwork, route precision, and natural instincts has drawn comparisons to some of the program’s elite receivers. But it’s his hunger to learn and willingness to be coached that’s separating him from the pack—and that hunger led him straight to Smith. The connection didn’t happen by accident. Smith, now a star with the Philadelphia Eagles, has remained involved with the Alabama program, frequently returning to Tuscaloosa during the offseason to train and give back. His presence has become a beacon for young players, and Williams quickly gravitated toward him, eager to absorb every ounce of knowledge he could.
Williams has been working closely with Smith on all aspects of the wide receiver craft. From perfecting his releases against press coverage to refining his footwork in and out of breaks, every detail matters. Smith, known for his surgical precision and quiet dominance, has been preaching the importance of discipline and consistency. For a freshman like Williams—brimming with athleticism and raw potential—the lessons in nuance and control have been invaluable. The two have spent hours breaking down film, reviewing route trees, and going through footwork drills that have left Williams drenched in sweat but energized and motivated.
According to sources close to the program, Smith has taken a personal interest in Williams’ development—not just because of his potential, but because of the young receiver’s mindset. “Ryan reminds a lot of people of DeVonta at that age,” one team insider said. “He’s humble, hungry, and doesn’t act like he’s already made it. That’s rare these days.” Smith, who famously carried himself with a calm, team-first demeanor even during his Heisman-winning season, has encouraged Williams to maintain that same grounded mentality, even as the hype around him continues to grow.
Williams, for his part, has fully embraced the mentorship. He’s repeatedly said in interviews that learning from Smith is like learning from a master class in greatness. “He’s been where I want to go,” Williams said recently. “He’s done everything I dream of doing—won championships, won the Heisman, dominated the league. So I just try to listen and soak up everything he says.” That mindset is paying dividends. Coaches have already noticed a sharper, more polished version of Williams emerging as summer workouts ramp up. His routes are crisper. His hands are more reliable. And perhaps most importantly, his confidence is growing—not cockiness, but a quiet belief that he belongs among the best.
What makes this mentorship even more powerful is the context. DeVonta Smith wasn’t the most hyped recruit when he arrived at Alabama. He wasn’t the biggest or the fastest. But he was relentless. He was methodical. And he trusted the process. That’s the blueprint he’s sharing with Williams—reminding him that it’s not about the five-star rankings or the viral highlights. It’s about stacking days. Putting in the work. And showing up when it matters. Williams is all in on that message.
This isn’t just a feel-good story about a young player learning from a legend. It’s a critical development for Alabama’s offense, which is looking to reestablish its identity after a transitional season. With a new-look offense under head coach Kalen DeBoer, the Crimson Tide are leaning heavily on their young stars to step up. Williams is expected to play a major role in that evolution. The coaching staff has high expectations, not just for his on-field production, but for his leadership. And having DeVonta Smith in his ear is giving him an edge that few freshmen in the country can claim.
Even off the field, the mentorship has made an impact. Smith has talked with Williams about handling pressure, staying away from distractions, and making smart decisions in the spotlight. “He told me to never let the moment be bigger than my preparation,” Williams shared. “He said the work you do when nobody’s watching is what gives you the confidence when everybody is.” That message hit home. Williams has been spotted putting in extra work after team sessions, staying behind to catch balls off the JUGS machine or running routes by himself on an empty practice field. His dedication is infectious, and older teammates have taken notice.
There’s a certain irony in watching DeVonta Smith—the once-overlooked, undersized receiver from Amite, Louisiana—now serve as the mentor to one of the most celebrated recruits in recent Alabama history. But it speaks volumes about Smith’s character and his love for the program. He doesn’t see himself as too big to give back. In fact, he sees it as a responsibility. And for Williams, the impact has been transformative. He’s not just learning how to run routes better or catch with more consistency. He’s learning how to be a pro before he even plays a snap of college football.
This type of player-to-player mentorship isn’t new at Alabama. The program has a long tradition of passing the torch. Julio Jones mentored Amari Cooper. Cooper mentored Calvin Ridley. Ridley influenced Jerry Jeudy and Henry Ruggs III. And so on. It’s a legacy of greatness that’s built on shared knowledge and mutual respect. Williams stepping into that lineage, with DeVonta Smith as his guide, only adds to the mystique. He’s part of something bigger now. He’s not just trying to be the next star wideout—he’s trying to live up to a standard set by the very best to ever do it.
There are still questions, of course. Can Williams translate his immense talent into production against SEC defenses? Will he be ready when the lights are brightest? Will the weight of expectations prove too heavy? Time will tell. But what’s clear is that Williams isn’t trying to do it alone. He’s leaning on someone who’s already been through the fire and come out on the other side with a trophy in each hand. And that gives him a head start most freshmen can only dream of.
In many ways, the mentorship is as symbolic as it is practical. It represents the passing of the torch from one era of Alabama football to the next. Smith was the face of the Tide’s offense at a time when the program was redefining its identity under Nick Saban. Now, Williams is poised to be one of the cornerstones of the post-Saban era under DeBoer. The pressure is immense. The stakes are high. But Williams isn’t shrinking from the moment. He’s embracing it—with quiet confidence and an all-time great in his corner.
For Alabama fans, it’s a thrilling sight. The tradition continues. The talent pipeline remains strong. And the mentorship that’s long defined the program is alive and well. If Williams becomes the player many believe he can be, don’t be surprised if, a few years from now, he’s the one returning to campus, mentoring the next young phenom and passing along the same lessons he learned from Smith. That’s how legacies are built—not in a single season, but in moments like these, where greatness reaches back and pulls the next generation forward.
