This game will bring the Heisman Trophy to Alabama football’s DeVonta Smith
We will finally see who will win the Heisman Trophy on Tuesday, but many believe that it will go to DeVonta Smith. The Alabama football receiver has been a superstar, and it is obvious why people believe he will win. He is breaking just about every record he can despite the short season, and he plays like the best college football player in 2020.
Heisman voters love a narrative. One common cliche is the Heisman moment. Every winner has one play or game that proves that they are deserving of the award. If DeVonta Smith ends up winning, his Heisman moment came against the LSU Tigers.
DeVonta Smith had a career day against the Tigers. He had 8 receptions for 231 yards and 3 touchdowns. His longest catch went for 65 yards, and his best play was a touchdown snag over Derek Stingley Jr where he climbed the ladder and barely landed in the back of the end zone.
This game is one of many elite performances from Smitty this season, but it serves as the launching point of his Heisman campaign. After this game, voters had to seriously consider him as a Heisman contender.
He followed this game up with other elite performances. Smith dominated in the Iron Bowl before this game, and he scored a touchdown on a punt return in the week after. In the SEC Championship, Smith dominated for Alabama football once again.
When you want to win the Heisman Trophy without being a quarterback, you need a lot of things to go your way. You must have game-shattering stats, but you also must dominate when all eyes are on you. While LSU did not live up to the standard, many were curious how they would look against the Crimson Tide. Alabama dominated, and DeVonta Smith was the best player on the field.
I honestly don’t believe in a true Heisman moment, but you can look in the past and find them. Derrick Henry had his Heisman moment against LSU. Joe Burrow and Johnny Manziel got their moments against the Crimson Tide. If Smith ends up winning the Heisman, this will be considered his Heisman moment.