DeVonta Smith Catches up with CFB Legend

Former Alabama wide receiver and Heisman Trophy winner, DeVonta Smith, had a promise made with fellow Heisman winning receiver, Desmond Howard, fulfilled this week ahead of the NFL Draft.

Howard struck the deal with Smith back in January before the Heisman ceremony in a virtual interview, saying that the former Wolverine would swap jerseys with him if Smith became the first wide receiver to win the coveted award since Howard did in 1991. Smith obviously took home the prestigious award and thus, Howard fulfilled his side of the deal.

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Smith was selected by the Philadelphia Eagles 10th overall Thursday night, and it would be hard to believe that his Heisman campaign had nothing to do with it.

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In his final season at Alabama, Smith caught 117 passes for 1,856 yards, shattering SEC and school records along the way. Smith left Alabama the holder of the single season and career SEC records for receiving yards and touchdowns, and ended his legendary college career on an absolutely dominating final performance in the 2021 national championship game in which the senior receiver hauled in 12 passes for 213 yards and three touchdowns, all in the first half.

Jersey swapping is nothing new among NFL players, and is usually looked at as a sign of mutual respect between the two. Howard, who was able to carve out a successful NFL career for himself, even taking home a Super Bowl MVP in 1996, clearly sees Smith as someone who can and will succeed in the league. The only question that remains is: Will Smith do the same?