11:50 pm ET, On-Site Reaction: Alabama Dominates Ohio State To Win the National Title, 2021 College Football Playoff National Championship, subscribe to the Cover 3 College Football podcast, Milton focused on rehabbing his career, FSU football, What Alabama's win tells us about the sport's direction, These 22 teams are recruiting at a top-25 level, UCF hires new athletic director Terry Mohajir, Florida, Notre Dame schedule home-and-home, Milton focused on rehabbing his career, FSU. He finishes as strong as anybody in college football, and he’s no slouch at the top of his routes. What are the best landing spots for the three-time Defensive Player of the Year? Why DeVonta Smith is the popular Heisman vote for SEC coaches Updated Dec 18, 2020; Posted Dec 18, 2020 DeVonta Smith returned a punt 84 yards for a touchdown vs. Arkansas. Almost two months ago, Nick Farabaugh, my colleague here at Pro Football Network, waxed poetically about how good Alabama WR DeVonta Smith’s release repertoire is and its impact on his overall game. DeVonta Smith’s long legs make it a bit more difficult to sink and drive on obtuse route breaks efficiently, but he has improved year over year in this aspect, and I expect it to continue through 2020. It went about as poorly for the Buckeyes as you would imagine. Pro Football Network, LLC. He’s taller than the others, which makes horizontal fluidity more difficult, but his leaping ability and hands in contested situations are mind-boggling. Smith is no different in that, and his proficiency in this area bodes well for how he can translate to the NFL as a vertical threat as well. Player grades are subject to change based on new data and recent performance. Nick Sirianni will reportedly be named the Eagles’ next head coach. The Eagles have a new coach for the first time since 2016. Scouting Report: DeVonta Smith. Now that Super Bowl 55 is finished, what better way to celebrate than with Matt Williamson's brand new First Round 2021 NFL Mock Draft? Alabama wide receiver DeVonta Smith, the 2020 Heisman Trophy winner and one of the top prospects in the 2021 NFL Draft, declined to be weighed … "Well, he really dislocated his finger," Alabama coach Nick Saban said. AMITE CITY, La. Smith isn’t a one-trick pony, either. ... Elite hands, elite speed, elite agility, elite vertical — you name it, he had it. "—DeVonta Smith describes what it feels like to cap off this season with a national title pic.twitter.com/gJdTpLyqlI. Even Ruggs, who had a ridiculously low drop rate in college, concedes that Smith had the team’s best hands in 2019. We compile Player rankings using proprietary research techniques and hours of film evaluation. He actually wanted to play, we just didn't allow him to.". "He's a great competitor. There is a reason that Smith led Alabama in touchdowns and was second in catches last season at WR, despite possibly having the lowest draft value. Soon he'll be a first-round pick in the NFL Draft, perhaps quite high in the order. Alabama WR DeVonta Smith breaks records in first half, injures hand in second half of national championship The Heisman Trophy winner also … But you're talking about the ultimate warrior, ultimate competitor. Though Smith wasn't able to top his single-game best for receiving yards (274) or Chase's championship record of 221 receiving yards, Alabama still finished with 464 yards passing with six other players catching at least a pass. Smith was just 7 yards away from breaking LSU WR Ja'Marr Chase's single-game record for receiving yards in the CFP title game. If DeVonta Smith has a big game against Campbell, who some believe to be a top-20 talent (a lot of upside), he could cement his status as a first-round draft selection come April. Toney had a breakout season for the Gators in … There was another Eagles Extra Q & A held Friday. Alabama wide receiver DeVonta Smith put a bow on one of the most … While DeVonta Smith will not be participating in the practices and the Senior Bowl itself, another SEC receiver who will be has a chance to lock up a first-round pick, and that is Kadarius Toney from Florida. All Rights Reserved. Smith is no slouch as an athlete either, and his vertical explosiveness is his party gift. (Photo by Kent Gidley/Collegiate Images/Getty Images), DeVonta Smith’s ability to finish is elite, Smith not as sudden as others, but the top of his routes remain crisp, Smith faces a big matchup test against Georgia, Defensive Points Allowed Consistency Score, Expected Fantasy Points and Fantasy Points Differential, likened his game to Hall of Famer Marvin Harrison. Positives: As the Heisman trophy winner and national champion this past year, DeVonta Smith excelled as a multi-faceted receiver in the Crimson Tide’s offense. Alabama had two wide receivers drafted in the first 15 picks of the 2020 NFL Draft, as … Do the Los Angeles Rams and Philadelphia Eagles still trade up for Jared Goff and Carson Wentz in this redraft of the 2016 NFL... J.J. Watt has played his last game for the Texans. After being looked at by team trainers in the sideline medical tent, Smith was taken to the locker room with a towel over his right hand. Speaking of Chase, Smith also broke the SEC's single-season receiving yards record previously held by the LSU wideout. Smith is a phenomenal route-runner who is very sudden in and out of breaks. section: | slug: alabama-wr-devonta-smith-breaks-records-in-first-half-injuries-hand-in-second-half-of-national-championship | sport: collegefootball | route: article_single.us | Related | NFL Draft Rumors & News: Devonta Smith ranked above Jaylen Waddle? Smith has a somewhat lean frame, but he plays with impressive physicality both at the top of his routes and along the stem, which keeps him from getting pinched to the sideline (his releases helps him here too). Leading Alabama was Heisman winner DeVonta Smith, who had 12 receptions for 215 yards and 3 touchdowns in the first half alone. None have measured shorter than 5-foot-11 (Smith is 6-foot-1)... or lighter than 198 pounds. 2021 Draft Evaluation: DeVonta Smith, WR, Alabama - By Taylor Moser . DeVonta Smith posted a pair of 200-yard games for Alabama in 2019, including a seven-catch, 213-yard, two-touchdown outing against the eventual national champion LSU Tigers. With that ability also comes his awareness around the sideline. He has taken over games and cannot be stopped. His ability to work around traffic and finish catches in the air makes him an ideal downfield sideline target in the red zone. He adds a vertical weapon for QB Daniel Jones, who was quietly one of the best downfield passers in the league a year ago. With that ability also comes his awareness around the sideline. DeVonta Smith possesses a propensity to separate downfield. He’s able to use his hands and arm to separate from a crowding cornerback at the top of his route before snapping it off without catching an offensive pass interference call. If they'd have got it back in, he would have been fine. Every player that we grade goes through the same process. Those 12 catches were the most in the history of the CFP National Championship. Ohio State tried everything to cover Smith, but nothing worked. That's why you come to Bama. 6-0, 157 | Class of 2017. This play takes a lot of trust between the quarterback and the receiver. We just finished writing our story. He showed breakaway speed on both catch-and-run routes ... ANOTHER TD FOR DEVONTA #NationalChampionship pic.twitter.com/mwS0ofKcvM. Smith's night was cut short due to a finger injury, but not before proving why he's one of the hottest prospects heading into the NFL Draft. An outside, vertical route runner that always seems to find away to make a catch to move the sticks. 2 vertical target at wide receiver.” At this point, defenses have no answers for DeVonta Smith. The amount of concentration and physicality he plays with through contact is ideal. DeVonta Smith — #6, Sr., 6’1”, 175 lbs — Alabama. Jordan Reid, The Draft Network. CBS Sports is a registered trademark of CBS Broadcasting Inc. Commissioner.com is a registered trademark of CBS Interactive Inc. site: media | arena: collegefootball | pageType: stories | Smith is a slender playmaker with a thin frame that makes scouts pause before submitted the kind of grades that normally reflects a dominant player's talent and potential. Chase set that mark with 221 yards against Clemson last year. To top it off, his ability to create early space puts him in situations where scoring can come more easily. WR DeVonta Smith (Alabama) The program also has some others entering the draft. Coming soon… School bio: Big-play threat who averages 17.9 yards per catch for his career, a total that is currently second all-time by an Alabama pass-catcher (minimum 100 receptions) …… This article is part of our Dynasty Watch series.. DeVonta Smith just won the Heisman Trophy as a wide receiver, a distinction that will permanently place his name alongside the best players in college football history. None have measured shorter than 5-foot-8... or lighter than 184 pounds. Friday’s Rose Bowl is a great example of why so many (myself included) would be very excited to see No. With the Detroit Lions entering NFL draft season and in dire need of wide receiver help, you’re going to see a lot of projections and hype for Alabama wideout DeVonta Smith to join the Lions. His stock is at no risk of falling anytime soon. Smith’s ability to finish is most evident in contested situations and instances of imminent contact over the middle. https://www.espn.com/college-football/player/_/id/4241478/devonta-smith Wide receiver DeVonta Smith will be draft eligible and many think he could be the first wide receiver taken while offensive linemen Landon Dickerson, Alex Leatherwood, and Deonte Brown and long snapper Thomas Fletcher will attend Senior Bowl week. What would bring him to the next level as a route runner would be to become less predictable in the speed he’s using. ... Chase’s combination of strong hands and a good vertical made him nearly undefendable when the ball is in the air. https://www.profootballnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/DeVonta-Smith_edit_0.mp4. DeVonta Smith, Wide Receiver. But having an elite release off the line of scrimmage can only get you so far; ask former Nebraska Cornhusker Quintez Cephus, who’s now with the Detroit Lions as a rookie after being drafted in the fifth round. Welcome to the Football Scout 365 NFL Draft player rankings. I heard somebody say he set some kind of record in the first half of the game," Saban said. In the first 30 minutes of the game, Smith racked up 12 receptions on 14 targets for 215 yards and three touchdowns. The University of Georgia has two cornerbacks, Tyson Campbell and Eric Stokes, that will try and thwart Smith and Waddle’s efforts for four quarters. The cornerback is defending the vertical … DeVonta Smith leaps into Heisman conversation — and Alabama GOAT debate — with LSU outburst. "Heaven knows what he would have done if he played the whole game. Hometown Amite, La. School: Alabama Position: Wide Receiver Class: Junior Height: 6’1″ Weight: 175 Projected Draft Round: 3-6 Scouting Report: A big time playmaker that has a knack for catching a critical pass at the right time. What would be better than for Smith to be able to stop on a dime on curl and comeback routes that leave cornerbacks flying by? DeVonta Smith WR | Alabama Crimson Tide | 6-1 | 175 lbs. In this article: 2021 NFL Draft , Alabama Crimson Tide , Derek Stingley , Devonta Smith Listen to our instant analysis from Alabama's national championship win, and subscribe to the Cover 3 College Football podcast for top-notch insight and analysis beyond the gridiron. Both have put up stellar seasons and dominated the SEC. Here's the latest on what PFN Insider Tony Pauline is hearing. The Story. Browse 937 devonta smith stock photos and images available, or start a new search to explore more stock photos and images. I, for one, was unprepared for the rise of DeVonta Smith this season. Smith also became the SEC's all-time leading receiver in the game with 3,965 career yards. "The young guys just putting in the work, every week, knowing that if someone went down they would have to come in and do something big," Smith said after he was presented the game's Offensive MVP trophy. Derek Stingley Jr. probably has nightmares about Devonta Smith. Smith is no slouch as an athlete either, and his vertical explosiveness is his party gift. His tempo is pretty flat overall and could use some pace change to really explode out of routes and create open throwing windows. DeVonta Smith will be a highly sought-after commodity in the 2021 NFL Draft. But Smith's record night was cut short when he dislocated a finger on his right hand early in the third quarter. DeVonta Smith will get plenty of pro attention this offseason. There was no Heisman Trophy jinx for Alabama wide receiver DeVonta Smith Monday night. "I told Smitty after the game, I said, You're the only player that I know that missed a whole half because of your finger. Smith is deadly, dynamic weapon who could has the potential to be a No. There are many trade rumors regarding Carson Wentz and Sam Darnold. ; School Amite High School; Position Wide Receiver; Status Signed Alabama 02/01/2017 Alabama had two wide receivers drafted in the first 15 picks of the 2020 NFL Draft, as … UCF hires new athletic director from Arkansas St. Notre Dame-Florida series set for 2031, 2032 seasons, Iowa State, Campbell agree to extension, raises for staff, Alabama expected to lose fifth coach from 2020 staff, Illinois-Nebraska in Dublin highlights Big Ten schedule. © 2004-2021 CBS Interactive. Covering the impact of coronavirus on the sports world. His third touchdown of the first half came on a mismatch against Ohio State linebacker Tuf Borland. NFL Draft Rumors & News: Devonta Smith ranked above Jaylen Waddle? Copyright © 2019-2021. OH MY DEVONTA SMITH That makes THREE TOUCHDOWNS for the Heisman winner pic.twitter.com/u9qpKEKnTC. What helps him separate so well overall is his physicality through the top of his route. ", "Unbelievable. Much like Harris, Smith owned the … Daniel Jeremiah even likened his game to Hall of Famer Marvin Harrison, given their frames, play style, and steady hands. The average slot receiver Belichick has drafted is a little slower (about a 4.46-second 40) and a little less explosive (36-inch vertical). The Crimson Tide is now the first team in FBS history to have a player with 20 receiving touchdowns (Smith) and 20 rushing touchdowns (Najee Harris) in a … It was dislocated and they couldn't get it back in. I'm so happy for him that he was recognized as the best player in college football because I don't think anybody's done more for their team than he has for our team.". Smith, who caught 83 passes from Tagovailoa over three years at Alabama, is the real deal. 1 wide receiver in the NFL.