If no one else besides Alabama football fans will show DeVonta Smith some love, Pro Football Focus will gladly commend the returning junior at wide receiver on a fine 2018 season he had.
It is great to have an elite passer in Tua Tagovailoa at quarterback; however, the signal caller only looks good when the receivers make plays. Tagovailoa has a ton of game-changing weapons and the quiet one in Smith happens to be the most dangerous in many situations.
PFF released a graphic via Twitter on Wednesday that showed how important the Louisiana native is to Alabama’s offensive attack. On a minimum of 50 targets, Smith led all receivers in the Southeastern Conference in passer rating when targeted.
When Tagovailoa finds Smith, the All-American and Heisman finalist has a passer rating of 146.5 — which is higher than his marks when targeting Jerry Jeudy (125.1), Henry Ruggs III (142.7) and Jaylen Waddle (141.7).
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— PFF College (@PFF_College) June 26, 2019
Smith finished fifth in receptions (42) and receiving yards (693) in 2018, while recording six touchdown receptions. His average of 16.50 yards a catch was third on the team and over one-third (33.3 percent) of his receptions – 14 of 42 – totaled 20+ yards. Twenty-six of Smith’s 42 catches (62%) resulted in either first downs or scores, solidifying him as a big-play target.
He posted two 100-yard games versus Missouri and Oklahoma last year.
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He missed a couple of games last season with a hamstring, but a healthy Smith could snatch a first-round NFL Draft grade. He came in with Tagovailoa, Jeudy and Ruggs and he intends on leaving with this group. Smith is the X-factor of the most elite position unit in college football.
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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.
