Alabama receiver DeVonta Smith takes home coveted individual award in college football
The wide receiver of University of Alabama, DeVonta Smith, became this Tuesday the most recent winner of the coveted Heisman Trophy.
Smith, dressed in a cherry tuxedo, became the third player in the game Crimson Sea in taking the prize, after the runners Mark Ingram II (2009) and Derrick Henry (2015). Also, Smith became the first wide receiver to win the award since then Desmond Howard in 1991, with Michigan. He is the fourth modern receiver to win the trophy after Johnny Rodgers of Nebraska (1972) Tim Brown of Our lady (1987) and Howard.
The wide and fast receiver of the Crimson Sea led all finalists with 447 votes in first place and 1,856 points in total.
“For all the guys out there, it’s not about the biggest ones, it’s not about the strongest. Just keep pushing,” he said. Smith as part of his acceptance speech, “because I am not the greatest. They doubted me a lot because of my size and, really, it’s just that if you put your mind to the end, you can do it.
“No task is too big. If you think about it, you can do it and just keep believing in God and you will get where you want to go.”
Smith He was also named Professional Footballer of the Year this year by the Associated Press. Smith he also won the Paul Hornung Award, given to the most versatile player in the country.
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The Alabama catcher had a spectacular season heading into the semifinals for the national championship.
Leads FBS in receptions (105), yards in reception (1,641) and touchdowns in reception (20). Further, Smith he dropped just two passes throughout the year.
Smith he could have jumped on the bandwagon NFL last year, but decided to go back to Alabama for his senior season.
Nr. 1 Alabama, led by Smith, will contest the national title on January 11 against N ° 3 Ohio State, after Tide and Buckeyes EXCEED Our lady and Clemson, respectively, in the semifinals College football playoff.
He Heisman it had been handed over to the defenders for the past four years. The only players who won Heisman positions that have not been quarterback in the last 15 years have been, in fact, Ingram, Henry and now Smith, all Alabama. He Tide he never had a trophy winner as a passer.
The other three finalists for this year’s award, in addition Smith, were defenders: Trevor Lawrence of Clemson, Mac Jones of Alabama, and Kyle Trask of Florida.
Lawrence He was the pre-season favorite to win the award, but the lack of two games after contracting COVID-19 slowed down his campaign. pin Tigers finished in second place with 222 votes in first place and 1,187 votes in total.
The third site went to Jones, the teammate from Smith, with 138 votes in first place and 1,130 points in total. Trask it remained with 61 votes in first place and 737 points in total.
The prize was awarded by a virtual ceremony, due to the coronavirus pandemic, instead of the traditional trip to New York City. He Heisman was first delivered to culminate the 1935 season being Jay Berwanger from University of Chicago the first to receive it.