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Sweet revenge? WR DeVonta Smith, originally committed to Georgia, catches game-winning TD
By Paul Harvey
Published:
DeVonta Smith, Alabama’s freshman WR who caught the game-winning touchdown Monday night, shares an interesting connection to the Georgia program that will leave a thorn in the side of Bulldogs fans.
Smith came to Alabama as a 4-star recruit and No. 9 WR in the nation for 2017 on the 247 Sports Composite Rankings, and he provided a big impact in crucial moments for the Crimson Tide. He came up big in Alabama’s road win over Mississippi State earlier this season. However, no play was bigger than the one he made Monday.
Smith raced by a Georgia DB down the sideline and hauled a beautifully thrown deep ball from QB Tua Tagovailoa. The Bulldogs secondary was caught out of position and had no chance to catch Smith.
What makes this play even harder for Georgia fans and sweeter for Alabama fans is that Smith was originally committed to the Bulldogs before switching to Alabama. According to national college football writer Bryan Fischer, Smith said he switched his committment because Kirby Smart and his staff did not have any contact with him after taking the Georgia job.
WR DeVonta Smith, who caught the game-winner for Alabama in overtime, decommitted from Georgia about this time two years ago. Why? He said Kirby Smart’s staff didn’t have any contact with him after taking over.
— Bryan Fischer (@BryanDFischer) January 9, 2018
Recruits shift commitments from time-to-time, especially during coaching changes, but this one that got away will leave a nightmare for Georgia fans for sometime.
Paul Harvey lives in Atlanta and covers SEC football.
