DeVonta Smith is touted to create history in the NFL. However, even before stepping into the professional scene, the Alabama Crimson Tide senior is making history in the NCAA, as he became the first wide receiver to clinch the coveted Heisman trophy in the past three decades.
The Heisman Memorial Trophy, honouring the memory of former Downtown Athletic Club director John Heisman, is awarded to the most outstanding player in college football each year.
DeVonta Smith is the first WR to be awarded the Heisman trophy in the past three decades
Even until the midpoint of the season, the race for the award was between Florida quarterback Kyle Trask and DeVonta Smith’s own QB teammate Mac Jones.
In came a dominating DeVonta Smith, who turned heads with clocking 53 passes for 955 yards and 13 touchdowns in just six games, topped with a 15 catch, 184-yard performance in the SEC Championship Game for the Tide, making him the frontrunner to win the award.
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Along with becoming the first WR to win the trophy since 1991, the 22-year-old has also become the third player out of Alabama to be honoured with the award, as well as becoming the 4th WR ever to clinch the trophy, breaking the domination of quarterbacks and running backs in the last 30 years.
Acclamations dropped in from Smith’s teammates, as well as former winners of the award, including the likes of Ravens stalwart Lamar Jackson and former baseball-cum-football legend Bo Jackson.
However, 2020 didn’t only stop at the Heisman trophy for Smith. The senior went onto win the Paul Hornung Award, as well as becoming the first wide receiver to be named the Associated Press College Football Player of the Year since 1998.
For his outstanding performance in the Championship Game, Smith also became the SEC Offensive Player of the Year and was also named in the First Team All-SEC for the second straight year.
