Alabama football star DeVonta Smith won the Heisman Trophy, the 4th receiver to win it, and college football media was full of oversized reactions.
DeVonta Smith joins Desmon Howard, Tim Brown and Johnny Rodgers as wide receivers who have won the Heisman Trophy. The Alabama pass-catcher is the first at his position to win the Heisman since Howard took it home in 1991.
He went from an afterthought in the Heisman race when he wasn’t among the top candidates in late October to an overwhelming favorite after the close to his season.
Smith led the nation with 105 receptions, 1,641 yards and 20 touchdowns.
He’ll add to his totals when Alabama plays Ohio State in the National Championship Game on Monday, Jan. 11.
Smith is now the third player in Alabama football history to win the Heisman, joining running backs Derrick Henry and Mark Ingram. He beat out his quarterback, Mac Jones, Clemson quarterback Trevor Lawrence and Florida quarterback Kyle Trask to join the Heisman fraternity.
College football media reacts to DeVonta Smith winning the Heisman
Congratulations to DeVonta Smith, our 2020 Heisman Trophy winner! pic.twitter.com/8dX3lYwK2F
— The Heisman Trophy (@HeismanTrophy) January 6, 2021
"To all the young kids out there that's not the biggest, not the strongest: just keep pushing."
— ESPN (@espn) January 6, 2021
DeVonta Smith delivers a heartfelt acceptance speech after winning the Heisman Trophy ❤ pic.twitter.com/tljrFemRbe
https://twitter.com/espn/status/1346622545458413568
https://twitter.com/SportsCenter/status/1346622567059230720
Congratulations to all the finalists tonight for the Heisman Trophy ceremony. Really happy for @DeVontaSmith_6 winning it this yr. Waited his turn-Worked hard-Got better-Had back to back monster years-Wins the Heisman.
— Kirk Herbstreit (@KirkHerbstreit) January 6, 2021
2 words sum up his journey.
*Worker
*Humility
Congrats!
DeVonta Smith deserved it. He won it.
— Aaron Suttles (@AaronSuttles) January 6, 2021
Alabama went all those decades without a Heisman and now they have three in 12 years. Only non-QB winners* in the last 20 years of the Heisman played in Tuscaloosa.
— Bryan Fischer (@BryanDFischer) January 6, 2021
Congrats to DeVonta Smith. What a great choice by the voters, a great season, speech and reaction by his family and hometown.
— Mitch Sherman (@mitchsherman) January 6, 2021
Congrats to DeVonta Smith on an absolutely spectacular season. I told my kids as we watched that all 4 of these finalists have stories worth rooting for. Bravo to all!
— Andrea Adelson (@aadelsonESPN) January 6, 2021
https://twitter.com/LRiddickESPN/status/1346623020203462657
Most Heisman winners by coach
— Matt Brown (@MattBrownCFB) January 6, 2021
4 Frank Leahy
3 Nick Saban, Red Blaik, Woody Hayes, Pete Carroll (Reggie Bush included)
2 Ducky Pond, Wayne Hardin, Tommy Prothro, John McKay, John Robinson, Bobby Bowden, Bob Stoops, Lincoln Riley
I'm so happy for DeVonta Smith. An incredible journey. An all-time career. A breakthrough moment. Buddy, so many feels.
— Adam Kramer (@KegsnEggs) January 6, 2021
From catching the game-winning TD in the national title game as a freshman to winning the Heisman as a senior, DeVonta Smith has had an all-time great career.
— Stewart Mandel (@slmandel) January 6, 2021
This young man has worked so incredibly hard. Congrats to all 4 finalists. Remarkable class in an unprecedented season. https://t.co/KpDMZ0YLzm
— Laura Rutledge (@LauraRutledge) January 6, 2021
DeVonta Smith’s year in review:
— Field Yates (@FieldYates) January 6, 2021
Led the country in catches, receiving yards, all purpose yards and receiving TD.
Broke the Alabama school record for receiving yards and TD.
First WR to ever win the AP Player of the Year.
Heisman Trophy Winner.
Soon: a top NFL Draft pick.
DeVonta Smith: Best Player in College Football @DeVontaSmith_6 #RollTide pic.twitter.com/aKqgQZ3S9R
— Alabama Football (@AlabamaFTBL) January 6, 2021
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