Corey Taylor, Devonta Smith and Corey Taylor are all big names that are in the mix in college basketball recruiting. We’ve discussed Texas Tech, Florida State, Georgia and more, and have a closer look at Smith. We also discuss who might be the next Heisman Trophy winner. But is Smith a lock? Or is this just a hype cycle for one player? Find out what you need to know about these players and how they can help you make an informed decision.
Corey Taylor
In his latest mock draft, NFL Network analyst Mel Kiper projects Alabama wide receiver Devin Smith to go seventh overall. Given that the Lions are thin at the wide receiver position and could use more help on the line, the team has a good chance of grabbing Smith. Although he listed his height and weight at six-foot-one, Smith has since revealed that he weighs one hundred and fifty pounds. Only Marquise Brown has been lighter than Smith since 1999.
The younger brother of Alabama running back Travis Moss, Trevor Moss is a highly regarded running back with a stellar athleticism. He rushed for 3,607 yards and 53 touchdowns over the past two seasons. After de-committing from LSU in June, Alabama stepped up its efforts to get him. Trevor Moss is projected to play safety but may not want to deal with the Travis comparisons at Clemson.
The Amite Warriors sent several players to college, including Smith. A Heisman Trophy winner, Smith is a native of Louisiana and credits his talent with making him one of the most dominant college wide receivers of all time. Coach Powell also credits Smith’s great talent for his success at the next level. With a high level of commitment and hard work, he could end up being the next Arch Manning.
Texas Tech
While there are many good receivers in the 2018 class at Texas Tech, Devonta Smith is perhaps the best prospect coming out of the school. Smith, a former Georgia star, has been highly recruited by Texas Tech coach Kevin Wilson. He is the third-highest rated receiver among his teammates. While Smith has already committed to Texas Tech, his early recruitment has made him a top-five recruit on ESPN.
The new offensive coordinator at Texas Tech, Zach Kittley, is an outstanding hire. He has a strong reputation among coaches, having crafted the careers of several players at the collegiate level, including Bailey Zappe at Houston Baptist. With Smith’s background, he will have no problem attracting the top receivers. In fact, the coaching staff at Texas Tech is arguably the best in the country.
The Liberty Bowl is a great game to watch for UT, especially for those whose dream is to play in the Super Bowl. While the school is ranked No. 3 nationally, the Liberty Bowl is its first trip to a bowl game in more than 50 years. The two schools have played three times in their history, with the most recent meeting coming in 1970. While Mississippi State leads the series, Texas Tech has won four straight.
Despite this success, there’s more to Smith’s story. The quarterback is a product of his parents’ legacy. Brice Brown coached him at Carver High School and now has a reputation for developing top prospects. His father played for the Los Angeles Rams, so it was no surprise that Smith chose Alabama over Florida, Georgia, or LSU. Nevertheless, despite the strong football history, Smith was the first Texas Tech commit to commit.
Florida State
With the upcoming season, one of the top prospects in the country will visit the Seminoles to take a look at the Florida State defense. ESPN recruiter Devonta Smith will be on hand to share his thoughts on the upcoming season. Florida State has a history of landing star players, but Smith stands out for his ability to develop into a strong college player. Here are his best tips to help you secure a top player for Florida State.
As a freshman, Smith did not play a lot of football but did not allow himself to become frustrated by his lack of playing time. Instead, he asked to be put on special teams and was placed on punt coverage. He has a lot of intangibles that coaches are concerned about, and he has a toughness that has been built over time from playing defense. He also stands out in the eyes of Napier due to his size and hand size.
The Florida quarterback prospect is a four-star prospect according to Rivals250, ESPN, and 247Composite. ESPN ranks him as the nation’s No. 12 pro-style quarterback prospect. ESPN has him as the top-ranked quarterback prospect among high school prospects. If he makes it to Florida State, he will be a first-round pick. There is no better way to get an early start than by showing up for the Florida State game.
Georgia
The defensive line was a key weakness for Georgia in the past, but Smith’s speed and toughness made up for that. Although Smith didn’t play a lot in his freshman season, he did not let this deter him. He asked to be moved to special teams and started on punt coverage. He may not be flashy like Jeudy and Ruggs, but his leadership and hard work will help the Bulldogs.
After a strong first half against Alabama, the Bulldogs were poised to win the SEC Championship. Smith, a junior wide receiver, scored a touchdown from 41 yards out on a fade route. He was the first WR to go over 40 yards this season. Georgia’s offensive line was solid as a whole, but Smith’s performance on second-and-long was the game-winner.
The Bulldogs aren’t the only program in Devonta Smith’s recruiting cycle. He’s been ranked by Bleacher Report, a national recruiting analyst. Smith’s composite rating, which is determined by 247Sports’ composite ratings, is one of the factors driving the Bulldogs’ interest in Smith. Devonta Smith’s recruitment is fueling for the 2017 season, so this news could make a difference in the college decision process.
The Bulldogs’ secondary isn’t exactly a strength. Injuries have affected the secondary all season, with Derion Kendrick, a Clemson transfer, making him an attractive target. Smith’s playmaking abilities make him a great candidate to compete at Georgia. And his speed and athleticism are a plus. Devonta Smith is a four-star prospect.
LSU
A former Alabama standout, DeVonta Smith was ranked among the nation’s top wide receivers by 247Sports’ composite rankings. He was also named positional MVP of The Opening New Orleans regional, a tournament hosted at Nike World Headquarters. Upon visiting LSU in Baton Rouge, he met with first-year receivers coach Dameyune Craig. Smith and Craig developed a stronger relationship during their visit.
When Smith was recruited to LSU, coaches were largely hesitant about his size. Smith was reportedly 6 feet tall and weighed just 140 pounds. However, Smith embraced the taunts and began performing pushups whenever he saw his reflection. Powell noted that Smith was cerebral and quiet, and was known to play chess and think several moves ahead. He impressed Napier with his ability to read opposing defenders and to make big plays in space.
Ultimately, LSU was left with two wide receivers in the draft. Devonta Smith and Chase were both considered among the top six picks in the 2020 NFL draft. Both wide receivers have the potential to be stars at the next level. But who will be the first to be taken? Both players have the potential to be great NFL receivers. However, the question remains: Will Smith be a LSU superstar?
Alabama
The Alabama coaching staff is highly impressed with the size of sophomore wide receiver Devonta Smith, and the program has worked to get him on campus numerous times. While Smith was a top target of LSU, he stayed true to himself and remained calm despite being overshadowed by fellow ACC players like Jeudy and Ruggs. Coaches were concerned about Smith’s size, but Smith had intangibles, such as physicality, and toughness ingrained in his character from playing defense.
At the end of the 2018 season, Alabama rolled to the national title against Georgia, thanks in large part to a 41-yard touchdown from junior quarterback Tua Tagovailoa to Smith. The next day, Alabama was coached by former Georgia star Joe Cox, who was recruited by the team. Smith also worked out with the new tight ends coach, Brian Dawkins, and helped the Bulldogs to an undefeated season in 2018.
Despite the humbling loss to Tennessee, Smith remained focused on winning the Heisman Trophy. While he did not win the award, he is still a highly coveted player. ESPN’s Mel Kiper Jr. ranked Smith fourth on his Big Board. Among college football players, Smith has a high draft stock. ESPN also rates him as one of the top wide receivers, a significant plus for potential Alabama teams.
