After his teammate at Alabama was featured on NFL Network’s Good Morning Football, DeVonta Smith made an appearance on Thursday’s show.
He could have declared for the 2020 NFL Draft, but the Louisiana native decided to return to school for his senior year.
In listening to his head coach, Nick Saban, the choice turned out to be the best investment for Smith. He led all receivers in college football for receptions (117), receiving yards (1,856), and touchdown catches (23) through 13 games.
Smith was responsible for nine 100-yard performances, including three 200-yard games.
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He put on a show versus Ohio State in the College Football Playoff National Championship Game, tallying 12 catches for 215 yards receiving and three touchdowns in the first half.
The 6-foot-1, 175-pounder won a host of individual awards and became the fourth receiver in college football history to win the Heisman Memorial Trophy. Despite his success, some critics do not view Smith as worthy of being a high first-round draft pick because of his size. Because he is not the typical receiver, some talent evaluators do not see him transitioning well to the pro game.
For Smith, he lives to prove those individuals wrong.
“I like when people doubt me, it makes me keep going.”
Heisman Trophy winner @DeVontaSmith_6 joined #GMFB to talk about his insane stats in the National Championship game, his message to critics who question his body type, and what a team is getting when they draft him. pic.twitter.com/Q3ayw5yrM3
— GMFB (@gmfb) February 3, 2021
“I like when people doubt me,” Smith said on Good Morning Football. “It keeps me going and it puts a bigger chip on my shoulders. I love the doubters.”
When it lost Jerry Jeudy and Henry Ruggs III to the National Football League, people wondered how Alabama would respond.
Smith stepped into a leadership role and it became evident after Jaylen Waddle got hurt.
National media said the Tide would not win a national championship without Waddle at full strength, but Smith took care of it. In Waddle’s absence, the former four-star tallied at least 100 yards receiving in six of seven games. Smith pushed Alabama to wins over LSU, Auburn, Florida (SEC Championship), and Notre Dame.
Waddle returned versus the Buckeyes in the CFP title game, but it was still Smith’s show.
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He ended his collegiate career as the greatest receiver in Alabama history, and Smith holds SEC records for receiving yards (3,965) and touchdowns (46).
As the third Tide player to win the Heisman, Smith is expected to be a high first-round pick.
The opportunity to be reunited with Tua Tagovailoa in Miami (Fla.) has been a reoccurring thought for him. With the Dolphins having the third overall pick, it needs to make it happen.
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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
