During an interview on All Things Covered with Patrick Peterson and Bryant McFadden, Georgia coach Kirby Smart said who he thinks should win the heralded 2021 Heisman Trophy.
The finalist are Clemson quarterback Trevor Lawrence, Alabama quarterback Mac Jones, Florida quarterback Kyle Trask and Alabama receiver DeVonta Smith.
“I usually wouldn’t answer that, Smart said. “But you know I’m not gonna be politically correct and I’m gonna say who I think the best player is, and everybody will know why I think he’s the best player, because of what he’s done against Georgia, DeVonta Smith.”
“This is a young man that I had in camp when he was in the eighth and ninth grade and I was at Alabama. Where he weighed like 125. He was so small in eighth and ninth grade, and he was so talented. By the time he got to be, maybe a junior or senior, he was like 155. At one time he was actually committed to Georgia, and not many people remember that; decommitted to Georgia and ends up going to Alabama, you know, won the national championship on the last play the game against us, and then played a phenomenal game against us this year. We had two good corners, draped all over them, you couldn’t ask them to cover him any better. He comes out of breaks better than anybody I’ve ever seen. He catches the ball going back to the quarterback. And to me, he’s the best player in college football.”
We usually don’t hear coaches, especially on another team, endorse a player for Heisman consideration, but Smart’s comments about DeVonta Smith shows just how dominant the senior has been this season.
Smith has caught 98 passes for 1,511 yards and 17 touchdowns with a punt return touchdown in 2020.
For reference, Desmond Howard’s Heisman-winning season as a wide receiver in 1991, Howard caught 61 passes for 960 yards and 19 touchdowns while adding 162 yards on the ground and two scores, as well as a score on a punt return and kickoff return.
I do not always agree with Smart, but I believe he is right in calling for Smith to win the Heisman this year. The award has become quarterback-focused and less about the most deserving player in college football. Let’s change that this year.
The virtual Heisman ceremony is scheduled to air on Jan. 5 at 8 p.m. on ESPN.