NFL Draft boards are really liking DeVonta Smith right now.
Although media pundits like Jaylen Waddle more for his speed, Smith’s style of play is getting recognized by the experts that dissect all the important aspects at wide receiver. According to Mac Hereford, a former Alabama receiver from 2016-19, he told yours truly of Touchdown Alabama Magazine that Smith has always been ‘different’ at receiver on In My Own Words.
*Mac Hereford talks DeVonta Smith at 37:47 mark
“You have Calvin [Ridley] and Jerry [Jeudy] who have the unbelievable ability to make these moves that you never seen and grab the ball and juke out DB’s and stuff like that. You have [Jalen] Waddle, who is extremely quick. He has quick-twitch abilities to juke out so many guys. DeVonta Smith is what I would to say is just a prototypical, perfect wide receiver. Runs routes so crisp … I think he runs the best routes out of all those guys. He is so clean and looks so effortless when he runs. When he came in, he was always ready to play. He was always ready to ball. He has gotten more maturity over the years and he has stepped into the leadership role.”- Mac Hereford on Smith via Monday’s segment from IMOW
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He became a legend as a true freshman with his 41-yard, game-winning touchdown catch versus Georgia in the 2018 College Football Playoff National Championship Game, but he has added more to status since “2nd and 26.” Smith is now a two-time 1,000-yard receiver and leads the Tide for receptions (83), receiving yards (1,327) and touchdowns (15). He leads the nation for receiving yards and is second for catches and scores. Smith has six 100-yard games, including a pair of 200-yard performances.
For his career at Alabama, Smith joins Amari Cooper as the second 3,000-yard receiver.
Through four seasons, he has 201 receptions for 3,436 yards with 38 touchdowns.
He and his quarterback, Mac Jones, are in a tight race for the Heisman Trophy.
While the coveted bronze award may be won in the SEC Championship Game, one NFL Draft expert provided a stellar comparison for the senior and Louisiana native. Daniel Jeremiah, analyst on NFL Network and host of “Move the Sticks,” compared Smith to Marvin Harrison (Pro Football Hall of Fame) and Calvin Ridley (former Alabama standout).
Bama WR Devonta Smith is a blend of Marvin Harrison & Calvin Ridley.
— Daniel Jeremiah (@MoveTheSticks) December 15, 2020
The 6-foot-1, 175-pounder fits in the same body frame as both guys.
Harrison, a 13-year veteran for the Indianapolis Colts, was an eight-time Pro Bowl selection. He won Super Bowl 41 in 2006 and earned first-team NFL All-Pro honors three times. Listed at 6-feet and 185 pounds, Harrison was one of the best at receiver.
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Ridley, who is in his third season for the Atlanta Falcons, has posted 1,000-plus yards for the first time as a pro.
He totals 67 receptions for 1,029 yards (eighth in NFL) with eight touchdowns (tied for ninth in NFL). A native Floridian, the former five-star has six 100-yard games this season. Ridley collected 89 catches for 1,045 yards and seven scores in his freshman year with Alabama (2015) and won Freshman All-American honors. He also helped the Tide capture a national title that season.
The trio of Smith, Harrison and Ridley are not big talkers. This is another reason why Jeremiah’s comparison hits home, as all three players let their game speak for them. It will truly be exciting to see what Smith becomes at the next level.
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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.
