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Alabama WR DeVonta Smith wins the 2020 Paul Hornung Award

DeVonta Smith returns punt against Arkansas
via: SEC Media Portal

Alabama wide receiver DeVonta Smith has won the 2020 Paul Hornung Award which is administered to the most versatile player in college football.

Smith is the first student-athlete from Alabama to win the award and the 11th player overall.

“I am truly honored to be named the winner of the Paul Hornung Award,” Smith said. “I take pride in being the most complete and versatile football player I can possibly be, and to have my name mentioned in the same breath as Paul Hornung is truly special.”

DeVonta Smith

Wide Receiver

  • A prolific pass catcher and standout on special teams who scored touchdowns receiving, rushing and returning punts
  • Most recently, touched the ball three different ways for 145 all-purpose yards and three scores in Alabama’s 34-14 win over Notre Dame in the first round of the CFP
  • Converted 60 percent of his receptions into scores or first downs through 12 games
  • Led the nation total receiving yards, touchdown receptions and yards after catch; and averaged 24 yards per punt return
  • Named AP Player of the Year while being selected as a finalist for the Heisman Trophy, Biletnikoff, Maxwell and Walter Camp Player of the Year

Smith was chosen as the Paul Hornung Award winner from among five finalists by a 17-member national selection committee comprised of sports journalists, coaches and retired NFL players; online fan voting accounted for the 18th vote. The Louisville Sports Commission created the award in 2011 along with football legend and Louisville native Paul Hornung, who passed away on Nov. 13, 2020, at age 84.

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Patrick Dowd is a Reporter for Touchdown Alabama Magazine. You can follow him on Twitter, via Pat_Dowd77

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