Former Alabama WR listed in top 5 of ESPN’s greatest receivers across last 50 years
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For years, the Alabama Crimson Tide offense was defined by star running backs. Mark Ingram, Trent Richardson and Derrick Henry dominated opponents on the ground. Then, in the 2010s, Nick Saban started to open his passing playbook.
Julio Jones was the predecessor, and Amari Cooper was the biggest initial benefactor. Eventually, DeVonta Smith came along and became the 2020 Heisman Trophy winner. That outstanding campaign, combined with a major moment as a freshman, followed by solid sophomore and strong junior seasons, made him No. 4 on the list of ESPN’s top 60 receivers from the last 50 years, according to Bill Connelly.
“Talk about a perfect career: the eighth reception of Smith’s career, a 41-yard touchdown from Tua Tagovailoa won the national title,” Connelly wrote. “The last one, a 42-yard score from Mac Jones, locked up a second. In between were 200+ catches, 40+ scores and the first Heisman win for a receiver since [Desmond] Howard.”
Three fellow Alabama wideouts joined Smith in ESPN’s rankings: Amari Cooper (27), Jameson Williams (35) and Ozzie Newsom (42), who played receiver in Tuscaloosa before transitioning to tight end in the NFL. The only players listed ahead of Smith were Larry Fitzgerald, Jeremiah Smith and Randy Moss, putting him in tremendous company.
