Alabama Football: ‘Smitty’ will be the next Crimson Tide record-breaker

For two seasons, Devonta Smith played in the Alabama football shadows behind more highly touted receivers. That changed last season and he is on track to break some Crimson Tide records.

In only 33 games of an Alabama football career, Tua Tagovaoloa shattered Crimson Tide records. A full list of Tua’s Alabama football and SEC records is included below. At least a few of them are likely to stand for a very long time.

As a freshman, Tua threw only 77 passes. The last one may go down as the greatest touchdown pass in Alabama Crimson Tide history. As all Crimson Tide fans know, on the other end of that pass, making only his eighth reception of the season was DeVonta Smith. By returning for a senior season ‘Smitty’ has a chance to set new Crimson Tide receiving records.

Smith already holds two Crimson Tide records for most touchdowns catches in a game (5)  and for most receiving yards in a game (274). Both Tide records were set by DeVonta in the 2019 season, against Ole Miss.

What is next for ‘Smitty’ without Tua doing the tossing? More Crimson Tide records should be toppled. Smith had an outstanding 2019 season, accomplished while sharing the receiving opportunities with three other top receivers.

Two of those guys, Jerry Jeudy and Henry Ruggs III will play next in the NFL. Tide Offensive Coordinator, Steve Sarkisian will still look to distribute passes to multiple receivers, but the most targeted will be Smith and Jaylen Waddle. Both Crimson Tide receivers could put up big numbers.

Devonta has a chance to pass Amari Cooper for Career Receiving Yards. Cooper is well ahead as the Tide record-holder with 3,463 yards. Smith has a career 2,109 yards, with 1,256 yards coming last season. It will take Smith1,355 receiving yards in 2020 to pass Cooper. It will be easier for Smith to pass Cooper as No.1 for the Crimson Tide Career Touchdown Receptions. Amari had 31 in his Crimson Tide career. So far, Devonta Smith has 23 touchdown catches.

A new Single-Season, Touchdown Reception record could also be set by Smith.  Amari  Cooper is No. 1 in the Tide Record Book with 16 TD catches in 2014. Smith had 14 TD catches last season, earning him the No. 2 spot (along with Jerry Jeudy).

Barring injury, DeVonta should set new Crimson Tide records. Whether it is Mac Jones or other Tide QBs, Smith can be counted on to make big catches.

Tua Tagovailoa Crimson Tide and SEC Records

Alabama Football Records

• 96 Career Touchdowns (87 passing and nine rushing)
• 48 Single-Season Touchdowns (2018)
• Seven Touchdowns in a Single-Game (Ole Miss, 2019)
• 4,156 yards Single-Season Total Offense Yards (2018)
• 87 Career Passing Touchdowns
• 43 Single-Season Passing Touchdowns (2018)
• Six Touchdown Passes in a game (Ole Miss, 2019)
• 3,966 Single-Season Total Passing Yards (2018)

Southeastern Conference Record

• All-Time, Single-Season Passing Efficiency Rating – 206.93 (2019)

LSU’s Joe Burrow is in the SEC Record book with a 2019 Rating of 202. In order for Tua to be officially recognized he had to compete in 75 percent of that season’s games. He was one game short.

Stats provided by the 2019 Alabama Football Media Guide and rolltide.com.

Much will be diminished if the 2020 season is restricted by any number of games. With such a change, more records for DeVonta Smith might not be possible.