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DeVonta Smith

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For the American mixed martial artist, see Devonte Smith.

DeVonta Smith (/dəˈvɒnteɪ/ də-VON-tay; born November 14, 1998) is an American professional football wide receiver for the Philadelphia Eagles of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Alabama Crimson Tide, where he recorded over 1,800 yards with 23 touchdowns as a senior in 2020.

DeVonta Smith
refer to caption
Smith with the Eagles in 2021
No. 6 – Philadelphia Eagles
Position:Wide receiver
Personal information
Born: (1998-11-14) November 14, 1998 (age 26)
Amite City, Louisiana, U.S.
Height:6 ft 0 in (1.83 m)
Weight:170 lb (77 kg)
Career information
High school:Amite (LA)
College:Alabama (2017–2020)
NFL draft:2021 / round: 1 / pick: 10
Career history
Roster status:Active
Career highlights and awards
Career NFL statistics as of Week 9, 2024
Receptions:275
Receiving yards:3,651
Receiving touchdowns:23
Stats at Pro Football Reference

Smith was awarded the Heisman Trophy for his accomplishments as a senior alongside several other awards and honors. He was the first wide receiver to win the Heisman since Desmond Howard in 1991 and only the fourth overall. He also won two national championships at Alabama prior to being selected by the Eagles tenth overall in the 2021 NFL draft.

Early life

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Smith attended Amite High Magnet School in his hometown of Amite City, Louisiana.[1] He played basketball and football, as well as ran track and field.[2][3][4] He committed to the University of Alabama to play college football.[5]

College career

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2017 season

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As a true freshman at Alabama in 2017, Smith had eight receptions for 160 yards and three touchdowns in eight games.[6] He scored his first collegiate touchdown on a 27-yard reception against Vanderbilt on September 23.[7] In the 2018 College Football Playoff National Championship against Georgia, Smith's only catch of the game was the game-winning 41-yard touchdown reception in an overtime 26–23 victory.[8][9][10]

2018 season

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In the College Football Playoff Semifinal at the Orange Bowl, Smith had six receptions for 104 yards and one touchdown in the 45–34 victory over Oklahoma.[11] As a sophomore in 2018, Smith had 42 receptions for 693 yards and six touchdowns in 13 games.[12][13][14]

2019 season

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Smith playing for Alabama in 2019.

On September 14, Smith had eight receptions for 136 receiving yards and two touchdowns in a 47–23 victory over South Carolina.[15] On September 28, Smith set career highs with 274 yards and five touchdowns in a 59–31 victory against Ole Miss.[16] On November 9, against LSU, he had seven receptions for 213 receiving yards and two touchdowns in the 46–41 loss.[17] Smith led the Crimson Tide in receiving yards and receiving touchdowns, with 1,256 yards and 14 touchdowns on 68 receptions.[18][19]

After the season, his teammates Henry Ruggs and Jerry Jeudy forfeited their remaining NCAA eligibility to enter the 2020 NFL draft, where they ended up as first-round picks, but Smith decided to return to Alabama for his senior year.[20]

2020 season

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On October 10, against Ole Miss, Smith had 13 receptions for 164 receiving yards and one receiving touchdown to go along with a rushing touchdown in the 63–48 victory.[21] In the following game, against Georgia, he had 11 receptions for 167 receiving yards and two receiving touchdowns in the 41–24 victory.[22] On October 31, Smith had 11 receptions for 203 receiving yards and four touchdowns against Mississippi State in the 41–0 victory.[23] Smith outgained the entire Bulldogs team 203–200 in the victory.[24] On November 21, Smith broke the all-time SEC career record for most receiving touchdowns, with two to go along with nine receptions for 144 yards in a 63–3 victory over Kentucky.[25][26] On November 28, in the Iron Bowl against Auburn, he had seven receptions for 171 yards and two touchdowns in the 42–13 victory.[27] The following week, he had eight receptions for 231 receiving yards and three touchdowns in a 55–17 victory over LSU.[28] In the SEC Championship against Florida, he had 15 receptions for 184 receiving yards and two touchdowns in the 52–46 victory.[29] In the College Football Playoff Semifinal at the Rose Bowl Game, he had seven receptions for 130 receiving yards and three receiving touchdowns in the 31–14 victory.[30] In the CFP National Championship Game against Ohio State, Smith set records for title game catches (12) and touchdown receptions (three), and also totaled 215 yards, despite leaving early in the third quarter with a hand injury. Alabama won, 52–24, their sixth title in 12 years, while Smith was named Offensive MVP of the championship game.[31][32] Smith led the nation with 117 receptions, 1,856 receiving yards, and 23 receiving touchdowns.[33]

Smith became the first wide receiver to win the AP Player of the Year award since its inception in 1998.[34] Smith was selected over finalists Kyle Trask, Trevor Lawrence and teammate Mac Jones to win the 2020 Heisman Trophy, becoming the first wide receiver to win the award since Desmond Howard in 1991 and only the fourth overall.[35][36]

While playing for Alabama, Smith set more than seven school receiving records. Smith accepted an invitation for the 2021 Senior Bowl but did not play.[37] His nickname at Alabama was the "Slim Reaper", given to him by his teammates due to his small frame and athletic ability.[38] Smith was named as a Consensus All-American.[39] In addition, Smith won the Biletnikoff Award, the Maxwell Award, SEC Offensive Player of the Year, and the Walter Camp Player of the Year Award.[40][41][42][43]

College statistics

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Alabama Crimson Tide
Season Receiving
Rec Yds Avg Lng TD
2017 8 160 20.0 41 3
2018 42 693 16.5 57 6
2019 68 1,256 18.5 85 14
2020 117 1,856 15.9 66 23
Career 235 3,965 16.9 85 46

Professional career

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Smith with the Eagles during the 2021 season
 
Smith reacts after scoring a touchdown in 2022
Pre-draft measurables
Height Weight Arm length Hand span
6 ft 0+1⁄4 in
(1.84 m) 		170 lb
(77 kg) 		31+1⁄8 in
(0.79 m) 		9+1⁄4 in
(0.23 m)
All values from Pro Day[44][45]

2021 season

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See also: 2021 Philadelphia Eagles season

Smith was selected by the Philadelphia Eagles with the tenth overall selection in the 2021 NFL draft, who had traded up two spots with the Dallas Cowboys to select him.[46] He was the third wide receiver taken in the draft after Ja'Marr Chase and Jaylen Waddle. Despite his impressive college statistics Smith fell in the draft due to concerns over his raw measurables and that his frame was considered too small to handle playing in the NFL.[47] He signed a four-year rookie contract, worth $20.1 million, on June 3, 2021.[48]

In week 1, against the Atlanta Falcons, Smith scored his first career touchdown on his first catch in the NFL.[49] He had seven receptions for 122 yards in a Week 4 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs.[50] In Week 10, against the Denver Broncos, Smith had two receiving touchdowns in the 30–13 victory.[51] Smith had a solid rookie season for the Eagles, as he recorded 64 receptions for 916 yards and five touchdowns.[52] His 916 yards set the Eagles rookie record for most receiving yards in a single season.[53] Like the rest of the Eagles offense, Smith struggled during the team's 31–15 loss in the Wild Card Round to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, as he ended the game with four catches (on 11 targets) for 60 yards.[54]

2022 season

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See also: 2022 Philadelphia Eagles season

In Week 3, against the Washington Commanders, Smith had eight catches for a career-high 169 yards and a touchdown in the 24–8 win.[55] In Week 16 against the Dallas Cowboys, he had eight receptions for 113 receiving yards and two touchdowns in the 40–34 loss.[56]

Smith had five games going over the 100-yard mark in the 2022 season. Smith finished his second season catching 95 passes for 1,196 yards and seven touchdowns.[57] In the Divisional Round against the New York Giants, he had a receiving touchdown in the 38–7 victory.[58] In the NFC Championship against the San Francisco 49ers, Smith recorded a one-handed 29-yard reception on fourth down on the Eagles' opening drive. The catch was likely to have been ruled incomplete upon further review, but the Eagles were able to get a quick snap off before it could be challenged.[59] The catch set up the Eagles with first-and-goal, which they were able to score a touchdown on. The Eagles won the game 31–7.[60] In Super Bowl LVII against the Chiefs, Smith had seven catches for 100 yards in the 38–35 loss.[61] He was ranked 100th by his fellow players on the NFL Top 100 Players of 2023.[62]

2023 season

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Main article: 2023 Philadelphia Eagles season

In Week 2, against the Vikings, Smith had four receptions for 131 yards and a touchdown in the 34–28 victory.[63] He had one other game going over the 100-yard mark on the regular season, Week 12 against the Bills. He totaled 81 receptions for 1,066 yards and seven touchdowns in 16 games.[64]

In the Wild Card Round loss to the Buccaneers, Smith had eight receptions for 148 yards in the 32–9 loss.[65]

2024 season

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On April 15, 2024, Smith signed a three-year, $75 million contract extension with the Eagles.[66]

NFL career statistics

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Regular season

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Year Team Games Receiving Fumbles
GP GS Rec Yds Avg Lng TD Fum Lost
2021 PHI 17 16 64 916 14.3 46 5 1 1
2022 PHI 17 17 95 1,196 12.6 45 7 1 1
2023 PHI 16 16 81 1,066 13.2 63 7 1 1
2024 PHI 2 2 14 160 11.4 25 1 0 0
Career 52 51 254 3,338 13.1 63 20 3 3

Postseason

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Year Team Games Receiving Fumbles
GP GS Rec Yds Avg Lng TD Fum Lost
2021 PHI 1 1 4 60 15.0 31 0 0 0
2022 PHI 3 3 15 197 13.1 45 1 0 0
2023 PHI 1 1 8 148 18.5 55 0 0 0
Career 5 5 27 405 15.0 55 1 0 0

See also

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References

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  1. ^ Brooks, Jesse (January 10, 2023). "Amite native DeVonta Smith quietly taking NFL by storm". FOX 8 Live. Retrieved March 4, 2023.
  2. ^ Zangaro, Dave (May 1, 2021). "A glimpse into DeVonta Smith's journey from small town to top 10". RSN. Retrieved March 4, 2023.
  3. ^ "Devonta Smith's High School Timeline". MaxPreps.com. Retrieved February 2, 2023.
  4. ^ "Devonta Smith Track & Field Bio". athletic.net. Retrieved September 9, 2024.
  5. ^ Halley, Jim (February 1, 2017). "Amite (La.) wide receiver DeVonta Smith is headed to Alabama". USA TODAY High School Sports. Retrieved March 4, 2023.
  6. ^ "DeVonta Smith 2017 Game Log". Sports Reference. Retrieved March 4, 2023.
  7. ^ "Alabama at Vanderbilt Box Score, September 23, 2017". Sports Reference. Retrieved March 4, 2023.
  8. ^ Sabin, Rainer (November 27, 2018). "Why Alabama WR DeVonta Smith is not eager to talk about '2nd-and-26'". AL.com. Retrieved February 1, 2023.
  9. ^ Byington, Alex (November 30, 2018). "Humble Alabama WR DeVonta Smith not reveling in 'The Catch' ahead of rematch with Georgia". The Montgomery Advertiser. Retrieved March 4, 2023.
  10. ^ Dellenger, Ross (August 21, 2018). "DeVonta Smith's hometown hails Bama's other CFP hero". Sports Illustrated. Retrieved March 4, 2023.
  11. ^ "Orange Bowl – Oklahoma vs Alabama Box Score, December 29, 2018". Sports Reference. Retrieved March 4, 2023.
  12. ^ "DeVonta Smith 2018 Game Log". Sports Reference. Retrieved March 4, 2023.
  13. ^ Byington, Alex (September 18, 2019). "Alabama's DeVonta Smith finally getting his due". TimesDaily. Retrieved February 1, 2023.
  14. ^ Byington, Alex (September 18, 2019). "Tide WR DeVonta Smith emerging from the shadows". Dothan Eagle. Retrieved March 4, 2023.
  15. ^ "Alabama at South Carolina Box Score, September 14, 2019". Sports Reference. Retrieved March 5, 2023.
  16. ^ Gerbig, Layne (October 2, 2021). "WATCH: Relive DeVonta Smith's record-breaking performance against Ole Miss". Roll Tide Wire. Retrieved March 4, 2023.
  17. ^ "LSU at Alabama Box Score, November 9, 2019". Sports Reference. Retrieved March 5, 2023.
  18. ^ "DeVonta Smith 2019 Game Log". Sports Reference. Retrieved February 2, 2023.
  19. ^ "2019 Alabama Crimson Tide Stats". Sports Reference. Retrieved March 4, 2023.
  20. ^ Alper, Josh (January 6, 2020). "DeVonta Smith returning to Alabama". ProFootballTalk. Retrieved March 4, 2023.
  21. ^ "Alabama at Ole Miss Box Score, October 10, 2020". Sports Reference. Retrieved March 5, 2023.
  22. ^ "Georgia at Alabama Box Score, October 17, 2020". Sports Reference. Retrieved March 5, 2023.
  23. ^ "Mississippi State at Alabama Box Score, October 31, 2020". Sports Reference. Retrieved March 5, 2023.
  24. ^ Bromberg, Nick (October 31, 2020). "Alabama WR DeVonta Smith outgains Mississippi State by himself in Tide's 41–0 win". Yahoo! Sports. Retrieved March 5, 2023.
  25. ^ Schuster, Blake (November 21, 2020). "Alabama's DeVonta Smith Sets SEC Record for Most Career TDs by a WR". Bleacher Report. Retrieved March 4, 2023.
  26. ^ "Kentucky at Alabama Box Score, November 21, 2020". Sports Reference. Retrieved March 5, 2023.
  27. ^ "Auburn at Alabama Box Score, November 28, 2020". Sports Reference. Retrieved March 5, 2023.
  28. ^ "Alabama at LSU Box Score, December 5, 2020". Sports Reference. Retrieved March 5, 2023.
  29. ^ "Alabama vs Florida Box Score, December 19, 2020". Sports Reference. Retrieved March 5, 2023.
  30. ^ "Rose Bowl – Notre Dame vs Alabama Box Score, January 1, 2021". Sports Reference. Retrieved March 5, 2023.
  31. ^ "College Football Championship – Ohio State vs Alabama Box Score, January 11, 2021". Sports Reference. Retrieved March 5, 2023.
  32. ^ Goldberg, Rob (January 11, 2021). "DeVonta Smith, Mac Jones, Alabama Rout Ohio State to Win 2021 CFP Championship". Bleacher Report. Retrieved January 13, 2021.
  33. ^ "2020 College Football Leaders". Sports Reference. Retrieved March 4, 2023.
  34. ^ Russo, Ralph D. (December 29, 2020). "Tide's DeVonta Smith the 1st WR to win AP Player of the Year". AP NEWS. Retrieved December 29, 2020.
  35. ^ Bender, Bill (January 6, 2021). "Wide receivers and the Heisman Trophy: DeVonta Smith joins exclusive fraternity with win". Sporting News. Retrieved January 6, 2021.
  36. ^ "2020 Heisman Trophy Voting". Sports Reference. Retrieved March 4, 2023.
  37. ^ Heim, Mark (January 18, 2021). "Alabama's DeVonta Smith accepts Senior Bowl invitation". MSN.com. Retrieved January 19, 2021.
  38. ^ Martin, Tyler (January 5, 2021). "How an 'Under-Sized' DeVonta Smith Became Larger Than Life and the Heisman Front-Runner". Sports Illustrated. Retrieved April 30, 2021.
  39. ^ "Consensus All-America Teams (2020–2022)". Sports Reference. Retrieved March 4, 2023.
  40. ^ "Fred Biletnikoff Award Winners". Sports Reference. Retrieved March 4, 2023.
  41. ^ "Maxwell Award Winners". Sports Reference. Retrieved March 4, 2023.
  42. ^ "SEC Offensive Player of the Year Winners". Sports Reference. Retrieved March 4, 2023.
  43. ^ "Walter Camp Player of the Year Award Winners". Sports Reference. Retrieved March 4, 2023.
  44. ^ "DeVonta Smith Draft and Combine Prospect Profile". NFL.com. Retrieved December 22, 2021.
  45. ^ "DeVonta Smith, Alabama, WR, 2021 NFL Draft Scout, NCAA College Football". draftscout.com. Retrieved December 22, 2021.
  46. ^ McPherson, Chris (April 29, 2021). "Eagles draft WR DeVonta Smith". PhiladelphiaEagles.com. Retrieved May 2, 2021.
  47. ^ Frank, Reuben (April 30, 2021). "Is DeVonta Smith too small to last in the NFL?". NBC Sports. NBC Universal. Retrieved November 19, 2022.
  48. ^ Erby, Glenn (June 3, 2021). "Eagles agree to four-year, $20.1M deal with rookie WR DeVonta Smith". The Eagles Wire. Retrieved July 26, 2021 – via USA Today.
  49. ^ "Philadelphia Eagles at Atlanta Falcons – September 12th, 2021". Pro Football Reference. September 12, 2021. Retrieved January 26, 2022.
  50. ^ "Kansas City Chiefs at Philadelphia Eagles – October 3rd, 2021". Pro Football Reference. Retrieved March 4, 2023.
  51. ^ "Philadelphia Eagles at Denver Broncos – November 14th, 2021". Pro Football Reference. Retrieved March 4, 2023.
  52. ^ "DeVonta Smith 2021 Game Logs". Pro Football Reference. Retrieved January 26, 2022.
  53. ^ Williams, Charean (January 8, 2022). "DeVonta Smith sets franchise record for receiving yards by a rookie". NBC Sports. Retrieved January 26, 2022.
  54. ^ "Wild Card – Philadelphia Eagles at Tampa Bay Buccaneers – January 16th, 2022". Pro Football Reference. Retrieved March 4, 2023.
  55. ^ "Devonta Smith breaks out for 169 receiving yards, Eagles stay unbeaten with win over Commanders". FOX News. Associated Press. September 25, 2022. Retrieved September 25, 2022.
  56. ^ "Philadelphia Eagles at Dallas Cowboys – December 24th, 2022". Pro Football Reference. Retrieved March 4, 2023.
  57. ^ "DeVonta Smith 2022 Game Log". Pro Football Reference. Retrieved March 4, 2023.
  58. ^ "Divisional Round – New York Giants at Philadelphia Eagles – January 21st, 2023". Pro Football Reference. Retrieved March 4, 2023.
  59. ^ Werner, Barry (January 29, 2023). "Eagles score TD after 49ers fail to challenge DeVonta Smith's one-hand grab". Touchdown Wire. Retrieved March 4, 2023.
  60. ^ "NFC Championship – San Francisco 49ers at Philadelphia Eagles – January 29th, 2023". Pro Football Reference. Retrieved March 4, 2023.
  61. ^ "Super Bowl LVII – Philadelphia Eagles vs. Kansas City Chiefs – February 12th, 2023". Pro Football Reference. Retrieved March 4, 2023.
  62. ^ "2023 NFL Top 100". Pro Football Reference. Retrieved February 24, 2024.
  63. ^ "Minnesota Vikings at Philadelphia Eagles – September 14th, 2023". Pro Football Reference. Retrieved February 24, 2024.
  64. ^ "DeVonta Smith 2023 Game Log". Pro Football Reference. Retrieved February 24, 2024.
  65. ^ "Wild Card – Philadelphia Eagles at Tampa Bay Buccaneers – January 15th, 2024". Pro Football Reference. Retrieved February 24, 2024.
  66. ^ Shook, Nick (April 15, 2024). "Eagles sign WR DeVonta Smith to three-year, $75 million extension". NFL.com. Retrieved October 21, 2024.
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