Alabama WR Devonta Smith Focused on Notre Dame, Not Heisman Trophy

Devonta Smith. You've heard the name as a college football fan as he's torched defenses for the last three seasons at Alabama. 

The senior receiver is quiet, humble and you'd never know Smith has led the Crimson Tide in receiving yards for the last two seasons. 

Smith recorded 1,256 receiving yards and 14 touchdowns in 2019 to led Alabama. It was more the Jerry Jeudy's 1,163 yards and 10 touchdowns, which got him drafted 15th overall. It also topped Henry Ruggs III, who had 746 yards and seven touchdowns before being drafted 12th overall last spring. 

In 2020, Smith is on a mission as he didn't enjoy watching the playoffs from home last year. 

"It didn't feel good knowing we kind of stopped ourselves from being in the playoff," stated Smith. "Knowing we could have been there, it wasn't a good feeling." 

All Smith has done this fall is record 98 receptions for 1,511 yards and 17 touchdowns in 11 games. 

It's enough to be one of the favorites to win the Heisman Trophy, but Smith won't talk much about it. 

"I'm just here to do my job," said Smith. 

When pressed, Smith will give credit to his teammates putting him in a position to be in the running for college football's top award. 

It also makes sense as Alabama quarterback Mac Jones and running back Najee Harris also finished in the top five of the Heisman voting. 

"I can't do anything without my teammates," explained Smith. "I can't do anything without the offensive line blocking for Mac. Mac getting me the ball and for Najee running the ball and setting up the pass. I can't do any of that without them - without Coach (Steve Sarkisian) Sark being the great OC he is and Coach (Nick) Saban being the great coach he is. I can't do anything without them, so it's not me. It's them."

In fact, Smith would love nothing more than to see Jones take home the hardware. 

"He's the leader of the offense," Smith stated. "He controls everything, him and Landon (Dickerson). They're the leaders of everything." 

Dickerson won't play in the Rose Bowl and Smith knows losing his starting center is significant on and off the field. 

"It's a big loss. He's one of the leaders on the team and the offense," said Smith. "He's the one who gets the front moving and everything going. It's a big loss. It was tough when it happened, but everyone came out there and told him that they loved him and we were going to do this for him. That's what we're going to do." 

When Smith was asked about the historical side of the matchup with Notre Dame, it wasn't surprising he wasn't too concerned with the history. 

"The next game is the most important game," Smith stated. "It's most definitely an important game. It's a playoff game against a great team. We're going to have to keep doing what we're doing. Go to practice, put the work in and see what happens." 

And as for the Notre Dame defense, Smith has respect for the Irish and the physicality has jumped out on film. 

"They throw a lot of different looks out there," said Smith. "The defense is physical and physical up front. They run to the ball and everyone gets to the ball. They're just a great team."