He did not record two pick-sixes as a freshman like Minkah Fitzpatrick did for Alabama in 2015; however, Patrick Surtain II has commanded the respect of opposing quarterbacks.
No one has tried him this season with perfect throws to receivers.
While his efforts landed him on both Southeastern Conference and Associated Press All-Freshman Team, opponents have targeted Saivion Smith as the weak link. A former junior college standout from Tampa, Fla., Smith has done pretty well in his first year starting at cornerback for the Crimson Tide. He is sixth on the team in tackles (54) and tallies five pass breakups with three interceptions (team high).
The 6-foot-1, 200-pounder has moments where he is in perfect phase and physical with receivers, but Smith also has issues with laziness in his technique.
REALTED: Alabama CB Saivion Smith delivers marquee performance against Missouri
Despite having a strong games versus Missouri and LSU, he got burned against Mississippi, Tennessee, Auburn and Georgia. In the Tide’s matchup with Citadel, Smith was caught out of position and the Bulldogs gain yardage by running to his side.
Oklahoma possesses one of the best receiving units in college football, which is headlined by Marquise “Hollywood” Brown and Ceedee Lamb. Although both have over 1,000 yards receiving with 10 touchdowns apiece, Brown leads the group in receptions with 75.
Kyler Murray, this year’s Heisman Trophy winner, will look to attack Smith and though Nick Saban praised him some at Wednesday’s presser, the Alabama head football coach knows what his junior corner has to do in the upcoming matchup.
“When he focuses in on what he’s supposed to do and has good eye control and plays with discipline, he plays extremely well,” Saban said of Smith. “That has improved throughout the year.”
He’s done well through five bowl practices – which started last Friday – but the test will come inside Hard Rock Stadium in Miami, Fla. Alabama will have an early session on Thursday, before traveling to the sunshine state and battling the Sooners on Saturday, Dec. 29.
It will need a marquee outing from Smith.
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Stephen M. Smith is the managing editor and senior writer for Touchdown Alabama Magazine. You can “like” him on Facebook or “follow” him on Twitter, via @CoachingMSmith.
