NFL Draft analysts and experts are preparing Way-Too-Early big boards for next year’s venue, and some have as many as seven University of Alabama players going in the first round.
While the usual suspects include guys such as Tua Tagovailoa, Jerry Jeudy, Henry Ruggs III, Dylan Moses and Raekwon Davis among others, there has yet to be a first-round projection for returning junior wide receiver DeVonta Smith.
As one of the three veteran weapons from the 2017 class, Smith totaled 693 yards receiving with six touchdowns on 42 catches in 2018.
The 6-foot-1, 175-pounder from Louisiana posted two 100-yard outings last season and of his nine career scores, six come in excess of 20 yards or more. Smith has two game-winning touchdown receptions under his belt – including an epic 41-yard catch from Tagovailoa in the 2018 College Football Playoff National Championship Game (2017 season) versus Georgia to deliver the Crimson Tide a 26-23 victory at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta.
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It’s known as “2nd and 26” in the folklore of Alabama football; however, Smith is sometimes overlooked within the receiving unit – despite his exploits. The depth at the position and star power of Jeudy, Ruggs and Jaylen Waddle causes Smith to fly under the radar.
He is not one for conversation; however, Smith is done with being silenced.
Next season, he looks to make his case to be a first-round pick.
In Saturday’s airing of In My Own Words, Stephen Smith of Touchdown Alabama Magazine dives into the former four-star and breaks down what makes him so special within this offensive attack.
You can listen to the audio version of the podcast via SoundCloud.
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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.
