Alabama WR DeVonta Smith shines in his Rose Bowl draft audition

Smith is a popular projection for the Lions in the 2021 NFL Draft

With the Detroit Lions entering NFL draft season and in dire need of wide receiver help, you’re going to see a lot of projections and hype for Alabama wideout DeVonta Smith to join the Lions. Friday’s Rose Bowl is a great example of why so many (myself included) would be very excited to see No. 6 from the Crimson Tide as the Lions’ top selection in the 2021 NFL Draft.

Smith was unstoppable in the de facto national playoff semifinal against Notre Dame. The All-American dynamo finished with seven catches for 130 yards and three TDs in Alabama’s 31-14 win. But it wasn’t just the stats, it was how Smith posted them.

He showed a little bit of everything. Speed, check. Hands, check. Catch radius, yep that gets checked too. Contested catch? No problem. Run after catch? Oh yeah!

Smith hit the 20 touchdown mark in just Alabama’s 12th game, two fewer than LSU’s Ja’Marr Chase needed to hit that mark a year ago. He’s been dominant all season long against all types of cornerbacks and coverage.

Aside from the choice highlights here, Smith also played as the gunner on the punt coverage team. He did muff Notre Dame’s final onside kick, but that’s just a small blip in an otherwise spectacular performance.