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Devonta Smith gives Alabama four on Biletnikoff Award watch list
Alabama now has four receivers on the Biletnikoff Award watch list.
247sports.com
Alabama now has four receivers on the Biletnikoff Award watch list.
Crimson Tide junior DeVonta Smith was finally added to the watch list, it was announced Wednesday, joining Jerry Jeudy, Henry Ruggs III and Jaylen Waddle. The Biletnikoff Award recognizes college football's outstanding receiver, not merely college football's outstanding wide receiver.
Smith accounted for 274 receiving yards and five receiving touchdowns in now-No. 1 Alabama's 59-31 win over the Ole Miss Rebels two weeks and established new single-game school records in each receiving category. He accomplished all of this by way of 11 receptions on 12 targets.
Smith actually became the program's all-time receiving touchdowns leader in a game with his fourth catch in the second quarter, passing the previous record of three touchdown catches, which was held by multiple players and last achieved by ArDarius Stewart against Mississippi State on Nov. 12, 2016. Smith also passed Amari Cooper (224) for most receiving yards in a game.
His five touchdown receptions tied the Southeastern Conference record for receiving scores in a game (last in 2006 by Sidney Rice, South Carolina) and 274 yards ranks sixth in a game in SEC annals. The Amite, La., native also became only the sixth player in conference history to score at least two touchdowns and go over 200 yards in a game, which he did in a quarter.
“Smitty did a great job of running after the catch today on a couple of those big plays,” head coach Nick Saban said. “He made a great catch on the fade ball in the end zone. Smitty is a very, very good player. He is a hard worker, and he got his today. He had opportunities, and he got them.”
Through five games, Smith now has 537 receiving yards and eight receiving touchdowns on 31 receptions. He leads UA in receiving yards and touchdowns entering the seventh week of the season.
The 2019 Biletnikoff Award winner will be presented live on Dec. 12 at the College Football Hall of Fame.
