In the beginning, the challenge was to spread the ball to all the threats that Alabama received. So it was a matter of finding space for DeVonta Smith when Jaylen Waddle’s injury diverted all defensive attention to him.
Ultimately, Steve Sarkisian’s plot worked to bring this offense from Crimson Tide to a national title. Now that he is in full Texas mode, the former Alabama offensive coordinator is on the interview circuit and some questions are emerging in the 2020 season in Tuscaloosa.
The dynamics of the reception room took up a few minutes of a Friday morning conversation on the Dan Patrick Show.
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Sarkisian said things were well spread out in the early fall, with Smith, Waddle and John Metchie receiving fairly equal catch counts. In fact, it was Waddle who had higher numbers than the eventual winner of the Heisman Trophy in the early weeks. Then came the kickoff in Tennessee.
“When we lost Waddle, pretty much everything we designed was how he incorporates DeVonta Smith or how he draws the defense’s attention to DeVonta Smith so that other guys can open up,” said Sarkisian at the Dan Patrick Show on Friday. “And I think he embraced that role. He thought he was the right guy, but he also agreed to be a bait if you want other people to open up. He really tried. “
Of course, Smith only had a receiving game under 100 yards after leaving Knoxville, and that was because he played a more limited role in the final game of the regular season in Arkansas. He had 231 yards at LSU, a school record of 15 receptions against Florida and a first half of 12 catches of 215 yards in the title game against the State of Ohio.
Waddle, of course, picked up three more 34-yard passes in the league game after his season ended with an ankle injury in Tennessee.
Going back to the time before getting hurt, Sarkisian said that they saw Smith and Waddle as 1A and 1B.
“DeVonta had a much more real wide receiver experience for us in Alabama,” said Sarkisian. “We knew what we were achieving with him. Waddle was a little bit unique. He was actually fourth in the previous two years with (Jerry) Jeudy and (Henry) Ruggs still there. We all knew what a great returner he was and we all knew what he could do with the ball in his hands in the attack, but what people didn’t know was how good a runner he was, the versatility to play in or out.
“So, we really went there with the two guys being the featured recipients. I think Waddle took some defenses by surprise with his versatility, but at the end of the day, we knew what DeVonta Smith was and he was a great player. “
Smith broke the school receiving records with 1,856 yards and 23 touchdowns. Waddle averaged 21.1 yards per catch with a total of 28 and 591 yards in five games.
The topic of recruitment also came up in the interview with Patrick. Sarkisian said he doesn’t know “if you necessarily outperform” Nick Saban, but they will play to their strengths in Texas.
“Regionally, the children we can recruit are much closer to us in the state,” said Sarkisian. “Where in Alabama, I think they have to go a little further. There is not much going on in the state for them, but clearly the record that Coach Saban has put together is unmatched, but I think we are going to build something special here and the plan is that I will be here for the next 15 or 20 years.
“So, I hope you are interviewing someone here 15 years from now and asking the same question, how are you going to recruit Sark in Texas.”
Alabama plays in Texas on September 10, 2022, before the Longhorns traveled to Tuscaloosa on September 9, 2023.
Michael Casagrande is a reporter for the Alabama Media Group. Follow him on Twitter @ByCasagrande or in Facebook.