Alabama football is excited to have Malachi Moore back on defense, but there is another veteran defensive back that’s prepared for a breakout season opportunity.
DeVonta Smith, a former four-star in the 2021 class from Cincinnati, Ohio, enters his fourth year in the program.
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He has endured some injuries; however, he gained playing time in 2023. Smith assisted the Crimson Tide to a Southeastern Conference Championship last season. The 6-foot, 194-pounder plays with an edge to him. He’s been in and out of the lineup in spring practice, working safety and ‘Husky’ in the secondary. Smith was one of multiple veteran players encouraging young guys to stay at the University of Alabama during the time Nick Saban announced his retirement. He shared Moore’s “If they ain’t wearing Crimson” mindset, but he wants to show pro scouts at the next level that he is on the radar as a future draft pick.
Kane Wommack, Alabama’s defensive coordinator, sees Smith as the ‘Husky’ in his 4-2-5 Swarm defense look.
“That Husky position is so critical to what we do..we’re asking quite a bit, so he needs a very versatile skillset, and I think Smitty has that.”
Alabama DC Kane Wommack on Tide DB, DeVonta Smith. pic.twitter.com/4VNwY2uItC
— Touchdown Alabama (@TDAlabamaMag) March 23, 2024
“I think Smitty [DeVonta Smith] has a really good skill set,” Wommack said on Saturday after practice.
“He has been injured. He has been going through a rehab process, and he’s done a really good job. Jeff Allen and his staff have done a tremendous job of getting him back. I’m excited about Smitty. He can cover, he has a big frame at 200+ pounds, he’s shown some physicality as we have started to put the pads on, and I think he can process and make checks and adjustments. That Husky position is so critical to what we do… we are asking quite a bit, so he needs a very versatile skill set and I think Smitty has that.”
Wommack is wanting Smith to play man-to-man, blitz off the edge, play zone coverage, and fit down in the box to stop the run.
Colin Hitschler, the Crimson Tide’s co-defensive coordinator and safeties coach, sees Smith as a player who brings energy and leadership to the safety position.
The more I hear defensive coaches talk about Alabama DB DeVonta Smith, the more convinced I become this is his breakout year.
“DeVonta is a fighter,” Alabama DB coach Colin Hitschler said. “He is a leader on and off the field. He brings the energy.”@TDAlabamaMag pic.twitter.com/xsJaXtrKpj
— Stephen M. Smith (@CoachingMSmith) March 24, 2024
“He is a leader on and off the field,” Hitschler said about Smith.
“He’s been in and out of the lineup his whole time here, but he’s a fighter. He just keeps fighting to get back, and when he’s out there… he provides a lot of energy to the group. He is a great guy to coach. I can’t say enough about him.”
Whether he winds up at safety or Husky, Smith has to be on the field for the Tide in the fall.
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Stephen M. Smith is the senior writer for Touchdown Alabama Magazine. You can “like” him on Facebook or “follow” him on Twitter, via @CoachingMSmith.
