On Tuesday night, Crimson Tide Wideout Devonta Smith became the first wide receiver since 1991 to win the coveted Heisman Trophy, officially naming him the most outstanding player currently in college football. With a total of 447 first-place votes, the Alabama star beat out teammate Mac Jones, Florida QB Kyle Trask, and the projected first pick of the draft, Clemson QB Trevor Lawrence, for the award. Whether the 2021 NFL draft is conducted on a physical stage or done virtually from players’ couches at home, Smith will not make it beyond the 1st round.
He’s made quite the statement to get here, too. In the 2020-21 season, Smith has led the nation in receptions (105), receiving touchdowns (20), receiving yards (1,641), as well as all-purpose yards (1,912). Smith went for 100 or more receiving yards in eight of Alabama’s games this year, a new school record. With Smith’s new honor, Alabama now has had three players in the school’s history take home the Heisman. Smith is in good company, as Baltimore RB Mark Ingram and Tennessee RB Derrick Henry were among previous Crimson Tide recipients. And all of these wins have come in the last 12 years, a clear reflection of how dominant the Alabama program has been in this decade.
When Devonta Smith was questioned on the impact of the award, he seemed more concerned for what lies ahead for the Crimson Tide. “Last night [at the awards] was a great feeling,” Smith commented, “But now that’s in the past, and now it’s onto Ohio State.” On Monday, Smith and the Alabama Crimson Tide will face the Ohio State Buckeyes in the CFP Championship game. The Ohio State All-American CB Shaun Wade will likely be matched-up with the Heisman winner and reveling in the opportunity to prove his own greatness as a lockdown defender. The prospect of this matchup and the stakes behind Monday night’s game are expected reasons why Smith commented that, even after winning the trophy, he went home and “went straight to sleep.” It’s nothing but business for this year’s Heisman Trophy winner.
Given Devonta Smith’s single-minded focus on the Championship game, he likely isn’t looking ahead to the 2021 draft.
But we are.
According to football analyst Mel Kiper, he is the fourth overall best prospect entering the draft, ranking No. 1 out of all wide receivers. With Trevor Lawrence almost assuredly going first overall to the Jacksonville Jaguars, teams like the Miami Dolphins and the Cincinnati Bengals, who don’t have a quarterback hole to fill, will certainly be looking to snatch him up with their early first-round pick.
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