Countdown to kickoff: ‘20 belonged to DeVonta Smith

He’s too small, they said.

For the next stop on the countdown, let’s have a look back at DeVonta Smith because, let’s be honest, he owned the 2020 football season.

You know the stats by now: 117 catches for 1856 yards and 23 TD in 13 games, one rushing TD, one Heisman, one Biletnikoff, one SEC title and one national title to go with a myriad of other awards and honors.

It may be a long time before we see someone who glides as effortlessly past defenses as DeVonta Smith. He was a threat to turn any catch into a touchdown, and often did. His route running was flawless, his hands as reliable as your granddaddy’s Lincoln.

DeVonta became the first wide receiver to win the Heisman in nearly 30 years, and with good reason. His 2020 season may well be the most dominant season relative to his peers in college football history, and he did it with a quiet humility that is rare in this day and age. He may be off to Philadelphia to chase inevitable NFL stardom, but Smitty has etched his name permanently on the short list of Alabama legends.

We are now 20 days from kickoff.

Roll Tide.