Alabama Football: Meet Tua Tagovailoa’s All-Star supporting cast
By Ethan Lee
Irv Smith Jr. is a solid, physical tight end who provides a larger receiving option when needed
No Alabama offense is complete without a giant tight end who can move through defenses like a hot knife through butter. Do you need a dozen yards or so and a touchdown? Just throw it to the tight end that is impossible for linebackers to keep up with and far too big for cornerbacks to routinely bring down. This year, that role is being fulfilled by Irv Smith Jr.
Irv Smith Jr. wasn’t as highly touted as many other Alabama recruits. He was only a three-star coming out of high school in New Orleans, Louisiana, but he was still highly sought after by many nationally prominent programs. LSU, Florida, Michigan, Oklahoma State, Texas, A&M, Central Florida, Miami, and so many others extended scholarship offers to Smith. He ended up with Nick Saban’s Crimson Tide.
The junior tight end didn’t play much of a role in the offense in his first two years on campus. As a freshman, he saw the field but it was infrequent and only in sparse amounts. Last year, Irv Smith Jr. played in nine games and had 14 receptions for 128 yards and three touchdowns. This season, with Tua Tagovailoa running the offense, the role for Irv Smith Jr. has expanded notably. So far, he has 22 receptions for 384 yards and five touchdowns.
Irv Smith Jr. isn’t the most productive weapon that Alabama has in its arsenal so far, but he’s become a steady contributor who can make big plays when called upon. Expect him to continue to play a role in this offense moving forward.