He arrived at the University of Alabama as a small-town guy from Louisiana, but DeVonta Smith leaves the football program as a legend.
Smith brought excitement, clutch plays, big catches, 100-yard performances, conference championships, national championships, and competitive fire to a fan base that loves him.
He turned in his greatest season for the Crimson Tide in 2020, as he became the first wide receiver in school history to win the Heisman Memorial Trophy. The 6-foot-1, 175-pounder recorded 117 catches for 1,856 yards with 23 touchdowns. He led college football in all three categories and ended his tenure as the best to ever play the position for the Tide. Smith’s career finished with 235 receptions for 3,965 yards receiving and 46 touchdowns in four years.
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He dominated every defensive secondary he faced last season; however, his finest work was against Louisiana State University.
Smith caught eight passes for 231 yards (season-high) with three touchdowns. He had the CBS commentary team of Brad Nessler and Gary Danielson stunned when he snatched a 20-yard touchdown pass over the top of LSU’s Derrick Stingley.
Dec 5, 2020; Baton Rouge, Louisiana, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide wide receiver DeVonta Smith (6) makes a one-handed touchdown catch over LSU Tigers cornerback Derek Stingley Jr. (24) during the second quarter at Tiger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports
The catch was so incredible that renowned sports artist, Daniel A. Moore, has created an oil painting of it. The painting is called “Heisman Heights,” and it will be ready for fans to purchase next week (April 19). Tide fans can bundle the Smith painting with Moore’s other piece, “Unrivaled!” as it commemorates the team’s undefeated national championship season.
Mr. Moore has just completed his original oil painting, “Heisman Heights”, featuring #DeVontaSmith ! Bundle both “Heisman Heights” & “Unrivaled!” by 4/19/21 for matching print numbers! https://t.co/tQJaAPnakH #rolltide🐘 #alabamafootball #heisman #heismantrophy #crimsontide pic.twitter.com/02EZ8EP2LV
— Daniel Moore Gallery (@DanielMooreNLA) April 15, 2021
Both paintings can be found by logging onto www.danielmoreart.com.
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On Saturday, Smith will be honored by the Heisman and Maxwell award organizations.
Both will present him with his copy of each trophy.
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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.
