Stoic as ever, DeVonta Smith had a new presentation before the CFP press conference on Wednesday morning.
Now, and for the rest of his life, the “Heisman Trophy winner” will precede his name and surname in ceremonial moments like this. After an emotional response to his victory on Tuesday night, Smith kept his expression impassive and deflected any questions the next morning at the media session previously scheduled for a preview of Monday’s national title game.
He said the whole experience was great, “but now that is past and now it is in Ohio.”
And unlike a traditional Heisman victory accompanied by a long night in Manhattan, Smith said he went home and “straight to sleep” after his historic night.
Your teammates from Alabama may have been a little more excited about the whole thing.
Third quarterback Mac Jones said Smith was “a little shocked” when his name was called during the ceremony.
“It’s like a video game, man,” said Jones. “You are up there and watch your teammate win the Heisman Trophy and feel that this is just one of the coolest things you can do, is to have the chance to be with him, especially in the middle of the crazy year that has been , and being able to be the first guy to congratulate you. “
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Jones was surprised by the reaction of family friends who watched remotely in Amite, Louisiana. The quarterback noted that “the whole city was really there” watching the broadcast with Smith’s parents.
Jones was sitting next to Smith at the time, while another receiver John Metchie was watching ESPN from home. His degree of surprise was slightly less.
“I said a long time ago that Smitty is the best college football player this year,” said Metchie. “So, definitely, watching him win was great. I am extremely proud of him. “
Miller Forristall, a tough forward, held a unique position during the ceremony as current or former teammate of three of the four finalists. Trevor Lawrence de Clemson was his teammate in Cartersville, Georgia.
Forristall said he describes Smith as a fighter “in the final sense”. He continued to fight for everything that came his way and is a great teammate.
“That’s how I described it to my high school coach the other day,” said Forristall. “He asked me about DeVonta Smith. He wanted to know – he’s the same high school coach as Trevor Lawrence. He said, Dude, I want to cheer for Trevor, but tell me about this guy from DeVonta Smith. I said that he is a great teammate and that is something that stands out to me, not only as an incredibly talented guy and a great player, but also a great teammate. “
Smith can also have a mean poker face.
He avoided any doubt about the tribute from the moment his Heisman shares started to rise.
Don’t be fooled by this, Heisman makes you more excited than you can take.
“Yes, of course he is,” said striker Alex Leatherwood. “He’s super excited about it. He’s grateful. But one thing about Smitty, he is a great player, but he is a teammate and an even better person. “
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Jones smiled as he recalled the time he spent playing with his decorated teammate.
Both were part of the recruiting class announced in 2017, although neither was among the main attractions. The two return to the college circuit when they first built the chemistry that made the two legends this unusual college football season of 2020.
Jones smiled when he saw how far they had come to the stage as Heisman co-finalists.
“I think about camps and stuff,” said Jones. “Me and Smitty were the two skinniest guys playing ball for each other, so it kind of started there. But he worked hard and deserves everything that came his way. “
Part of that is a new title, like Mr. or Coach. Starting on Tuesday night, Smith will be the “winner of the Heisman Trophy …” and his teammates love it.
Michael Casagrande is a reporter for the Alabama Media Group. Follow him on Twitter @ByCasagrande or in Facebook.