Alabama football has arguably the deepest wide receiver corps in college football and while sophomore Tua Tagovailoa connects well with everyone, there is something special between he and the Crimson Tide’s silent killer from Louisiana.
Tide fans hope to soon get its race between Henry Ruggs III and DeVonta Smith, but the latter has a knack for picking his moments where he owns the stage. The historic journey for Smith and Tagovailoa started at Mercedes-Benz Stadium to begin the 2018 year as the native Hawaiian found the crafty route runner on a game-winning, 41-yard touchdown pass in overtime, delivering Alabama to a 26-23 victory over Georgia in the CFP national title game.
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Chemistry from that moment would carry over to the team’s first game in Florida this season: a matchup against Louisville in Orlando. The 6-foot-1, 173-pounder exploded for a team-high 99 yards receiving on four catches – assisting the program to its first 50-point game of the year with Tagovailoa as the starting quarterback and a 51-14 win over the Cardinals.
He recorded his first 100-yard game in a 39-10 win for the Tide over Missouri; however, the sunshine state loves Smith and it was Miami that showed him a good time over the weekend.
Curtis Bolton, senior linebacker for Oklahoma, sealed the fate of his secondary before the Orange Bowl started at Hard Rock Stadium, when he was quoted saying the statement:
“They’re impressive, but I don’t think they’re this juggernaut that everybody claims they are.”
Offensive minds Michael Locksley and Dan Enos took offense to the statement and followed with making Smith a focal point for Tagovailoa. The Heisman finalist connected with his legendary teammate six times for 104 yards, both of which were team-highs in receiving.
Smith averaged 17.3 yards per catch – including a 10-yard touchdown reception in the second half.
Three of his six receptions went for first downs or touchdowns, with his longest catch resulting in 50 yards in the first quarter. Just like Mississippi State in 2017 and Georgia to start this year, Oklahoma’s defense had no answers for Smith as he helped the Tide to a 45-34 win.
For the trio of Jerry Jeudy, Jaylen Waddle and Henry Ruggs III, each has something that Alabama fans and NFL scout alike really enjoy. Jeudy represents the complete package at receiver, while Waddle is a cheetah and Ruggs’ toughness allows him to be a playmaker.
When it comes to Smith, Tide running back Damien Harris said the best thing.
“He is a smooth operator,” Harris said of Smith with a smile.
“Smitty is not the fastest guy. He is not the quickest or most athlete, but he is smooth as silk. You rarely see defensive backs jam him off the line of scrimmage. You rarely see people get hands on him. Everything he does is so concise and so smooth. He’s a technician. He is a playmaker.”
Smith’s play-making abilities have the Tide going back to California for a chance to repeat as national champions.
He now looks to completely frustrate Clemson’s secondary on Jan. 7.
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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.
