He now has the ammunition needed for an incredible season.
DeVonta Smith is Alabama’s most underrated wide receiver and nothing proves this more evident than what has occurred throughout the summer.
Regardless of him being the most reliable weapon for Tua Tagovailoa, Smith was snubbed from the Preseason All-SEC Team for this year via media pundits at Southeastern Conference Media Days.
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The Louisiana native averaged 16.50 yards per reception in 2018 and recorded 693 yards receiving with six touchdowns on 42 catches. Twenty-six of his 42 receptions (62 percent) went for either first downs or scores, while 14 of his catches – 33.3% — went for 20+ yards.
Smith posted two 100-yard performances versus Missouri and Oklahoma and of his nine career touchdown receptions, two were game winners. The returning junior became etched in stone for the University of Alabama after bringing in a 41-yard scoring pass from Tagovailoa in the 2018 College Football Playoff National Championship Game against Georgia, to earn a 26-23 win.
Aside from the analysts at Pro Football Focus, Smith has been widely overlooked.
Prior to Friday, he was left off the watch list for the Fred Biletnikoff Award. When he is targeted on plays, Smith provides Tagovailoa with arguably the best passer rating (146.5) in college football.
The SEC media had Jerry Jeudy, Henry Ruggs III and Jaylen Waddle on the list, with Jeudy and Ruggs snatching first-team honors.
Miller Forristall, who missed 11 games in 2017 (knee) and did not register a catch at tight end last season, was selected as a third-teamer this week.
Despite the number of receivers entering the 2020 NFL Draft, this summer gives Smith an opportunity to prove he is first-round worthy.
His production is being undervalued and he is prepared to have the nation on alert as fall camp begins on Friday, Aug. 2 for the Tide.
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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.
