With fall camp starting on August 17, the staff for Touchdown Alabama Magazine will release a series a series of player spotlight pieces on starters and marquee contributors for the 2020 football season.
RELATED: 2020 Alabama Player Spotlight: RB Najee Harris
In these articles, we will dive into the strengths and weaknesses of each player, provide expectations for 2020, give NFL Draft projections for those who are eligible, and conclude with how each one can impact the team.
After Najee Harris, the third offensive player is DeVonta Smith.
DeVonta Smith
-Position: Wide Receiver
-Classification: Senior
-Height: 6’1″
-Weight: 175 pounds
-2019 stats: 68 catches, 1,256 yards receiving, 14 touchdowns
Strengths
-Hands
-Athleticism
-Route running
-Blocking
-Clutch plays
-Speed
Summary: Alabama knew it had signed the most talented wide receiver class in college football during the 2017 recruiting cycle, and it came into fruition at the 2018 College Football Playoff National Championship Game. Henry Ruggs III started the comeback versus Georgia with a touchdown catch from Tua Tagovailoa, but it was the receiver on the final score that made history.
DeVonta Smith, a native of Amite, La., was on the receiving end of a game-winning, 41-yard touchdown in overtime against the Bulldogs at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Ga.
As a freshman, he etched his name into Crimson Tide folklore with clutch plays and continued to grow throughout his career. In his sophomore campaign, the former four-star improved his route running and became one of five players to catch at least 40 passes from Tagovailoa.
Smith totaled 42 catches for 693 yards with four touchdowns, en route to helping Alabama win a Southeastern Conference title. After being captain clutch and a marquee playmaker, Smith became the Tide’s leading man in 2019.
His blend of strong hands, speed, athleticism and route running capabilities led to him leading Alabama in receiving yards (1,256) and scores (14) on 68 receptions in 13 games.
He’s on the smaller side at 6’1″ and 175 pounds; however, it has not stopped him from being a great blocker too. According to teammates, Smith is one of those players that is willing to everything to help the Tide win. Despite not having blazing speed, he is fast enough coming in and out of breaks. Also, Smith possesses the ability to break tackles and maneuver with ease into open space.
Weaknesses
-Being more vocal (learning)
Summary: Probably the lone weakness in Smith’s game is becoming more of a vocal leader.
He is not much of a talker, but he wants to get better at reaching his teammates. Throughout fall camp, he has mentioned that some players understand guys more when they talk to them.
As the leader of this group of wide receivers, it is Smith’s responsibility to make sure everyone’s mind is locked in to have success.
Expectations for 2020 season
On the heels of his first 1,000-yard season, Smith wants to repeat those numbers again.
RELATED: 2020 Player Spotlight: QB Mac Jones
Regardless of being on the same roster with Jaylen Waddle, there is an opportunity for Smith to lead the program in receiving for a second consecutive year. He enters the season with 23 career touchdown receptions, which is eight shy of tying former Tide standout Amari Cooper (31) for first all-time in school history. Along with this, a chance to win the Fred Biletnikoff Award — an honor presented to the nation’s top wide receiver — is in Smith’s sights too.
He can join Cooper (2014) and Jeudy (2018) as the third receiver in Alabama history to win it.
To pair with individual accolades and the team goal of winning a national championship, being a first-round pick on Smith’s mind as well. He came back for his senior season to craft value as a first-rounder and possibly be the first receiver taken.
NFL Draft 2021 projections
DeVonta Smith: First Round (Top 15)
Smith’s 2021 NFL Draft competition: Jaylen Waddle (Alabama), Sage Surratt (Wake Forest), Tylan Wallace (Oklahoma State), Seth Williams (Auburn), Terrace Marshall Jr. (LSU), Charleston Rambo (Oklahoma) and Amari Rodgers (Clemson)
Ja’Marr Chase (LSU) is in here too, despite his decision to opt out of 2020 season.
Conclusion
With the Pac-12 canceling its football season and the Big Ten trying to start during the week of Thanksgiving, DeVonta Smith represents one of the top receivers in college football. He carries all the tools, in terms of hands, speed, route running, instincts and blocks, and fits the mold of today’s NFL receiver.
The dominant pros of the modern-day game are those who are smaller, but can take defensive backs off their feet.
A few NFL Draft pundits have compared Smith to Pro Football Hall of Famer, Marvin Harrison.
RELATED: Nick Saban ‘really likes’ the sports science aspect of Alabama’s strength staff in fall camp
This is a big season for him, as he intends to punctuate his career in being the best at his position.
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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.
