DeVonta Smith talks size, potential NFL landing spots ahead of Pro Day
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DeVonta Smith is already a man of few words. When it came to talking about his weight Tuesday, the reigning Heisman Trophy winner had even less to say.
Smith, who was listed at 6-foot-1, 175 pounds on Alabama’s roster last season, was asked several times about his current weight, skipping over the question at first before being pressed about the topic again on a follow-up question.
“The same thing I’ve been weighing,” Smith answered, followed by a lingering silence.
Smith announced he won’t be participating in Alabama’s Pro Day on Tuesday, stating that he will only take part in the event’s weigh-in to allow NFL teams to get an official weight on record heading into next month’s draft.
For those who don’t want to wait until then, reporters were finally able to coax an answer out of the receiver, who said he’s currently weighing 170 pounds.
While Smith’s slight build might serve as a red flag to some NFL teams, he did well to ease some of those concerns, leading Alabama in receiving each of the past two seasons. During his record-breaking campaign last year, the Heisman Trophy winner pulled in 117 receptions for 1,856 yards and 23 touchdowns, leading the nation in all three statistical categories.
Smith, who broke onto the scene at Alabama by reeling in Tua Tagovailoa’s game-winning touchdown pass during the 2018 national championship game against Georgia, ended his four year career as the SEC’s all-time leader in receiving yards (3,965) and receiving touchdowns (46).
Along with fielding questions about his weight, Smith was also asked where NFL teams have said they plan to use him on the field. According to Pro Football Focus, Smith spent 505 snaps out wide compared to 270 in the slot last season.
“I feel like I’m a receiver that can play anywhere,” Smith said. “So really, just putting me anywhere and buying into whatever the team needs me to do.”
As for where Smith will end up in the draft, the star receiver has been heavily projected as a top-10 pick by most analysts. Interestingly enough, two popular landing spots include the Miami Dolphins at No. 3 overall and the Philadelphia Eagles at No. 6 overall — two organizations that both feature one of Smith’s former college quarterbacks behind center.
Smith said he’s spoken with both Tua Tagovailoa and Jalen Hurts about transitioning to the next level but said his discussions haven’t generally centered around teaming up with either quarterback in Miami or Philadelphia respectively.
“It will be a blessing just to hear any team call my name,” Smith said.
Whatever team selects Smith, he says he’s confident he’ll be able to carry over his success at Alabama to the professional level.
“I feel like it’s not gonna be no different than college,” Smith said. “I played against some of the best in college. I played in the SEC. I feel like it’s the toughest conference there is. I know a lot of people that’s bigger than that have more problems than me, so I’m not worried about it at all.”
Alabama will hold two pro days this year with the first taking place Tuesday followed by the second on March 30. Both events are scheduled to begin at 11 a.m. CT with the SEC Network and NFL Network carrying live coverage from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
The list of draft-eligible Crimson Tide players participating in some portion of Pro Day includes Smith as well as Christian Barmore, Deonte Brown, Landon Dickerson, Thomas Fletcher, Miller Forristall, Najee Harris, Mac Jones, Alex Leatherwood, Josh McMillon, Dylan Moses, Patrick Surtain II, Carl Tucker and Jaylen Waddle.
