We saw that DeVonta Smith had the chance to be special four years ago when he caught the winning 41-yard touchdown pass from Tua Tagovailoa in the Tide’s 26-23 overtime win over Georgia in the 2017 National Championship Game. In that game, Smith’s catch, his only one in the game, made him the Tide’s leading receiver for the night over Calvin Ridley, Henry Ruggs III and Jerry Jeudy.
Three years later, Smith went on to win the Heisman Trophy and, last night almost single-handedly beat Ohio State in the College Football Championship game. In the first half alone, before hurting his hand, DeVonta had 12 receptions for 215 yards and 3 TDs. Those stats put him in Title Game history for receptions (most), yards (second-most) and receiving TDs (tied for most).
Although they ended up getting spanked 52-24, Ohio State must have been relieved to hear that Smith wouldn’t be returning in the second half as he was torching their secondary with ease. Their hopes were probably raised coming out of the locker room down 35-17 and seeing Smith’s hand in a splint. But those hopes were smashed as Najee Harris and Mac Jones were still in the game and they put up an additional 17 points to the Buckeyes’ 7, giving the Tide their sixth title under Coach Saban.
Harris and Jones deserve their props, but the night really belonged to DeVonta Smith. He was unstoppable, showing everyone once again why he won the Heisman this season. Even the pros chimed in on his performance.
Smith concludes his career at Alabama with a power-packed resume. 3,965 yards receiving and 46 TDs. Two-time National Champion, Heisman Trophy winner, 2020 AP Player of Year, 2020 Fred Biletnikoff and Maxwell Award winner, 2020 SEC Offensive Player of the Year and 2020 Walter Camp Player of the Year.
While Ohio State obviously, despite all of his accolades and statistics, forgot who DeVonta Smith was because he almost beat them by his lonesome, we know NFL teams won’t be forgetting his name on Draft Day.
