{"id":34501,"date":"2021-01-06T11:24:20","date_gmt":"2021-01-06T16:24:20","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/collegefootball\/?p=34501"},"modified":"2025-09-13T16:08:12","modified_gmt":"2025-09-13T20:08:12","slug":"devonta-smith-proves-critics-wrong","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/collegefootball\/2021\/01\/06\/devonta-smith-proves-critics-wrong\/","title":{"rendered":"DeVonta Smith Proves Critics Wrong"},"content":{"rendered":"<p style=\"margin: 0cm;\"><span style=\"color: #0e101a;\">As the Heisman Trophy Ceremony began, it was clear something didn\u2019t belong. <\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\"><span style=\"color: #0e101a;\">No, it wasn\u2019t the virtual ceremony, with four finalists in different locations. That was to be expected in a global pandemic.\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"margin: 0cm;\"><span style=\"color: #0e101a;\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"margin: 0cm;\"><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\"><span style=\"color: #0e101a;\">No, it wasn\u2019t the length of the ceremony, very drawn out, only to announce the winner right at the end. Par for the course in college football, with programs such as College Game Day and Selection Sunday.\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"margin: 0cm;\"><span style=\"color: #0e101a;\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"margin: 0cm;\"><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\"><span style=\"color: #0e101a;\">Yes, Alabama Crimson Tide\u2019s DeVonta Smith became a <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/collegefootball\/2021\/01\/05\/devonta-smith-wins-the-heisman-trophy\/\" target=\"_self\">Heisman winner<\/a>. As a wide receiver. Beating out three quarterbacks.\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"margin: 0cm;\"><span style=\"color: #0e101a;\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"margin: 0cm;\"><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\"><span style=\"color: #0e101a;\">Yes, Smith didn\u2019t belong.\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"margin: 0cm;\"><span style=\"color: #0e101a;\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"margin: 0cm;\"><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\"><span style=\"color: #0e101a;\">&#8220;Just to be one of the very few that played receiver to win the Heisman, it means a lot to me,&#8221;\u00a0<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.cbc.ca\/sports\/football\/heisman-trophy-devonta-smith-1.5862755\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span style=\"color: #4a6ee0;\">Smith said.<\/span><\/a><\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"margin: 0cm;\"><span style=\"color: #0e101a;\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"margin: 0cm;\"><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\"><span style=\"color: #0e101a;\">Growing up in Amite City, Louisiana, Smith came from humble beginnings. In a town of a little over 4,000 people, football was the popular sport of choice.\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"margin: 0cm;\"><span style=\"color: #0e101a;\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"margin: 0cm;\"><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\"><span style=\"color: #0e101a;\">For Smith, he wasn\u2019t supposed to be a football player. A little over six feet, Smith is considered \u2018small\u2019 for a wide receiver. Despite the critics, Smith channeled the doubt and used it as motivation to prove people wrong.\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-width=\"550\" data-dnt=\"true\">\n<p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">And the Heisman goes to &#8230;<\/p>\n<p>\ud83c\udfc6 DeVonta Smith \ud83c\udfc6<\/p>\n<p>(\ud83d\udccd <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/NissanUSA?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">@NissanUSA<\/a>) <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/S6s4K8sQwc\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">pic.twitter.com\/S6s4K8sQwc<\/a><\/p>\n<p>&mdash; ESPN (@espn) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/espn\/status\/1346621688402862080?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">January 6, 2021<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<p style=\"margin: 0cm;\"><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\"><span style=\"color: #0e101a;\">\u201cJust you&#8217;ve got to believe in the things that you do,\u201d Smith said to reporters over Zoom. \u201cIf you don&#8217;t believe in it, then why are you doing it? You just can&#8217;t be out here doing something that you don&#8217;t believe in. You put your mind to some things and eventually it&#8217;s going to happen.\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"margin: 0cm;\"><span style=\"color: #0e101a;\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"margin: 0cm;\"><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\"><span style=\"color: #0e101a;\">After attending Amite High School, Smith committed to the University of Alabama. He was a part of an outstanding 2017 recruiting class, featuring Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa and NFL wide receivers Jerry Jeudy (Denver Broncos) and Henry Ruggs III (Las Vegas Raiders). Despite only eight receptions in his freshman year, Smith learned how to run routes from Jeudy and Ruggs, and the preparation required to be a top receiver.\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"margin: 0cm;\"><span style=\"color: #0e101a;\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"margin: 0cm;\"><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\"><span style=\"color: #0e101a;\">No bigger catch than in the 2018 National Championship Game, a game-winning touchdown pass from Tagovailoa, clinching the Tide its second title in three years.\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"margin: 0cm;\"><span style=\"color: #0e101a;\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"margin: 0cm;\"><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\"><span style=\"color: #0e101a;\">Once Jeudy and Ruggs left for the NFL, a void existed at the receiver spot. Doubt persisted about Smith\u2019s ability to be a top receiver.\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"margin: 0cm;\"><span style=\"color: #0e101a;\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"margin: 0cm;\"><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\"><span style=\"color: #0e101a;\">As college football became more pass-heavy, so too did the importance of skilled positions like a wide receiver. Smith worked hard in the offseason, getting faster and stronger, to become an explosive receiver.\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"margin: 0cm;\"><span style=\"color: #0e101a;\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"margin: 0cm;\"><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\"><span style=\"color: #0e101a;\">Electing to come back his senior year, Smith saved his best season for last. When fellow wideout Jaylen Waddle went down to injury, Smith raised his game. He led the nation with 98 catches and 1,511 receiving yards before the Rose Bowl and his 17 touchdown receptions rank second. Playing for a high-powered offense ranked second in the country in points scored, Smith posted seven 100-yard games, along with six multi-touchdown performances.\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"margin: 0cm;\"><span style=\"color: #0e101a;\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"margin: 0cm;\"><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\"><span style=\"color: #0e101a;\">The bigger the game, the more Smith feels comfortable. No better example than the Rose Bowl, one of College Football\u2019s National Semifinals, where Smith had seven catches for 130 yards and three touchdowns. He ran slant routes in the middle of the field, caught passes along the sideline, jumped in the air to make grabs, while also assisting on blocking.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-width=\"550\" data-dnt=\"true\">\n<p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">THAT&#39;S THREE FOR DEVONTA SMITH \ud83d\ude24 <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/Ugnf9D6xe5\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">pic.twitter.com\/Ugnf9D6xe5<\/a><\/p>\n<p>&mdash; SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/SportsCenter\/status\/1345150897437872128?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">January 1, 2021<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<p style=\"margin: 0cm;\"><span style=\"color: #0e101a;\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"margin: 0cm;\"><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\"><span style=\"color: #0e101a;\">\u201cSmitty has done as much for our team as any player could do for any team,\u201d said Alabama head coach Nick Saban after the Rose Bowl. \u201cSo we were so happy he was recognized as the College Football Player of the Year.\u201d<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"margin: 0cm;\"><span style=\"color: #0e101a;\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"margin: 0cm;\"><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\"><span style=\"color: #0e101a;\">Despite his quiet nature, Smith brings his best on the grand stage. And his teammates feed off his play.\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"margin: 0cm;\"><span style=\"color: #0e101a;\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"margin: 0cm;\"><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\"><span style=\"color: #0e101a;\">\u201cGoing against those guys every day in practice is like a game-day type of situation,\u201d said Crimson Tide linebacker Patrick Surtain II on facing Smith in scrimmages. \u201cIt helps me prepare for the game because you&#8217;re going to see talent like that in the game.\u201d<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"margin: 0cm;\"><span style=\"color: #0e101a;\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"margin: 0cm;\"><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\"><span style=\"color: #0e101a;\">As the Heisman ceremony commenced, an inevitable change of the guard took place. A trophy that quarterbacks often claim, now going into the hands of a wide receiver. Not since 1991 did a wideout win the Heisman. Until DeVonta Smith.\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"margin: 0cm;\"><span style=\"color: #0e101a;\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"margin: 0cm;\"><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\"><span style=\"color: #0e101a;\">His family back Amite held a small, socially distanced gathering, to celebrate Smith\u2019s accomplishment. A sleepy Louisiana town congregated to honour a blossoming star.\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"margin: 0cm;\"><span style=\"color: #0e101a;\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"margin: 0cm;\"><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\"><span style=\"color: #0e101a;\">When asked what winning a Heisman means, Smith referenced the importance of the next game, the National Championship in South Florida against Ohio State. That\u2019s the ultimate focus for Smith, bringing another championship back to Alabama.\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-width=\"550\" data-dnt=\"true\">\n<p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">&quot;To all the young kids out there that&#39;s not the biggest, not the strongest: just keep pushing.&quot;<\/p>\n<p>DeVonta Smith delivers a heartfelt acceptance speech after winning the Heisman Trophy \u2764 <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/tljrFemRbe\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">pic.twitter.com\/tljrFemRbe<\/a><\/p>\n<p>&mdash; ESPN (@espn) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/espn\/status\/1346624002261979142?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">January 6, 2021<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<p style=\"margin: 0cm;\"><span style=\"color: #0e101a;\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"margin: 0cm;\"><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\"><span style=\"color: #0e101a;\">But as he stood beside the Heisman Trophy, emulating the arm out, decked out in a crimson suit, Smith embraced the moment. He used his platform to let younger kids know, that they too could be like him one day.\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"margin: 0cm;\"><span style=\"color: #0e101a;\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"margin: 0cm;\"><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\"><span style=\"color: #0e101a;\">&#8220;To all the young kids out there that&#8217;s not the biggest, not the strongest, just keep pushing. Because I&#8217;m not the biggest. I&#8217;ve been doubted a lot because of my size and, really, it just comes down to you just put your mind to it, no job&#8217;s too big,&#8221;\u00a0<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.cbc.ca\/sports\/football\/heisman-trophy-devonta-smith-1.5862755\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span style=\"color: #4a6ee0;\">said the 6-foot-1, 175-pound Smith.<\/span><\/a><\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"margin: 0cm;\"><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\"><span style=\"color: #0e101a;\">Yes, one of those things at the Heisman ceremony didn\u2019t belong.\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"margin: 0cm;\"><span style=\"color: #0e101a;\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"margin: 0cm;\"><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\"><span style=\"color: #0e101a;\">Most likely, it will soar past you, in route to more accolades and success.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><a id=\"f2kh7rDRSsN4hvfRHsaXrA\" class=\"gie-single\" style=\"color: #a7a7a7; text-decoration: none; font-weight: normal !important; border: none; display: inline-block;\" href=\"http:\/\/www.gettyimages.com\/detail\/1294745480\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Embed from Getty Images<\/a><script>window.gie=window.gie||function(c){(gie.q=gie.q||[]).push(c)};gie(function(){gie.widgets.load({id:'f2kh7rDRSsN4hvfRHsaXrA',sig:'uckXHBEmffsHXKvmQwlfSvyZ_uu2ummx58wZ23HGXn0=',w:'594px',h:'418px',items:'1294745480',caption: true ,tld:'com',is360: false })});<\/script><script src='\/\/embed-cdn.gettyimages.com\/widgets.js' charset='utf-8' async><\/script><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>As the Heisman ceremony commenced, an inevitable change of the guard took place. A trophy that quarterbacks often claim, now going into the hands of a wide receiver. Not since 1991 did a wideout win the Heisman. Until DeVonta Smith.\u00a0<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2640,"featured_media":34515,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_lmt_disableupdate":"","_lmt_disable":"","sfio_featured_image":false,"sfio_embed_code":"","_ef_editorial_meta_date_first-draft-date":"","_ef_editorial_meta_paragraph_assignment":"","_ef_editorial_meta_checkbox_needs-photo":"1","_ef_editorial_meta_number_word-count":"834","footnotes":""},"categories":[2,35574,3],"tags":[35,184,7446,3206,895,903],"class_list":["post-34501","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-featured","category-alabama-crimson-tide","category-sec","tag-alabama-crimson-tide","tag-cfb","tag-cfb-football","tag-devonta-smith","tag-heisman-trophy","tag-national-championship"],"modified_by":"Michael Kovacs, ADMIN","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/collegefootball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/34501","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/collegefootball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/collegefootball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/collegefootball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2640"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/collegefootball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=34501"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/collegefootball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/34501\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":79568,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/collegefootball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/34501\/revisions\/79568"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/collegefootball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/34515"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/collegefootball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=34501"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/collegefootball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=34501"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/collegefootball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=34501"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}