The Walter Camp Football Foundation has followed Athlon Sports in releasing its Preseason All-America Teams for college football this season. Named after the “father of American Football,” Walter Camp, the foundation is the presenter of the Walter Camp Player of the Year Award.
Since 1967, the honor goes to the Player of the Year in college football and it’s decided by a group of NCAA Division I FBS head coaches and sports information directors under the Walter Camp Football Foundation. When it comes to the University of Alabama, running back Derrick Henry (2015) and quarterback Tua Tagovailoa (2018) both captured the award for their efforts.
DeVonta Smith, a senior at wide receiver, was the lone Crimson Tide player honored as a first-team preseason selection.
As the list was announced on Thursday, Smith returns to Alabama as its leader in receiving yards (1,256) and touchdowns (14) from last season. He recorded 68 catches in 2019 and the Louisiana native was responsible for three 100-yard performances.
The 6-foot-1, 175-pounder had two 200-yard games versus Louisiana State University and University of Mississippi, while averaging 96.6 yards per game. Smith has 23 career touchdown receptions, which is eight shy of him tying the school’s record of 31 (Amari Cooper).
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Alabama would have its group of Alex Leatherwood (offensive line), Najee Harris (running back), Dylan Moses (inside linebacker), Patrick Surtain II (cornerback) and Jaylen Waddle (kick return) all named to Walter Camp’s second team.
After missing the College Football Playoff for the first time since its inception in 2014, the Tide is determined to return to the big stage and win national title No. 18 in its history. Nick Saban is going after his seventh championship as head coach, which would eclipse the legend Paul W. “Bear” Bryant.
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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.
