Mac Jones, 3 Alabama Underclassmen Declare for 2021 NFL Draft After CFP Title
Jan 14, 2021
Alabama quarterback Mac Jones (10) warms up before the first half of the Southeastern Conference championship NCAA college football game against Florida, Saturday, Dec. 19, 2020, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson)
After a star-making 2020 season at Alabama, quarterback Mac Jones is going to the NFL draft along with three of his teammates.
Wide receiver Jaylen Waddle, cornerback Patrick Surtain II, defensive lineman Christian Barmore and Jones all announced Thursday that they have declared for the 2021 NFL draft, per ESPN's Field Yates.
Alabama QB Mac Jones, WR Jaylen Waddle, CB Patrick Surtain II and DL Christian Barmore have all declared for the 2021 NFL Draft.
Jones was an unheralded recruit when he committed to Alabama in 2017. The Jacksonville, Florida, native was a 3-star recruit and 18th-ranked pro-style quarterback in his recruiting class, per 247Sports' composite rankings.
The Crimson Tide also had Jalen Hurts and Tua Tagovailoa on the roster during Jones' first year with the program. He played sparingly as a redshirt freshman in 2018 behind those two, throwing 13 passes in six games.
When Tagovailoa suffered a season-ending hip injury against Mississippi State on Nov. 16, 2019, Jones became Alabama's starter for the rest of the year; Hurts had transferred to Oklahoma that year. He showed promise with 1,503 yards, 14 touchdowns and three interceptions with a 68.8 completion percentage in 11 games.
After Tagovailoa left for the NFL following the 2019 season, Jones was given the keys to the Crimson Tide's offense as a junior. He exploded onto the scene in a shortened regular season.
He led Bama to an 11-0 regular season and the SEC championship before being named a Heisman Trophy finalist and winning the national championship over Ohio State. Altogether, he threw for 4,500 and 41 touchdowns with a 77.4 completion percentage this season.
B/R's Matt Miller projected Jones to go No. 15 overall to the New England Patriots in a December mock draft:
"Bill Belichick tabs his quarterback of the future. Jones' deep ball is a thing of beauty, and he is more agile in the pocket than given credit for. In fact, you could argue he shows a lot of the traits with which Jimmy Garoppolo intrigued the Patriots early in his career. A younger, cheaper and potentially better version of a quarterback this front office loved."
Alabama is riding a hot streak of developing quarterbacks for the NFL. Tagovailoa was a first-round pick by the Miami Dolphins last year. Hurts showed promise with the Philadelphia Eagles after taking over for Carson Wentz late in the 2020 season.
Waddle collected 591 yards and four touchdowns this season before fracturing his ankle at the end of October. He did not see the field again until the national championship game, when he tallied 34 yards on three receptions in limited playing time.
In the two seasons leading up to his injury, he was earned multiple SEC honors, including freshman of the year in 2018, when he collected 848 yards and seven touchdowns on 45 receptions. In 2019, he was named the league's special teams player of the year after scoring on a kickoff return and a punt return while snagging 33 passes for 560 yards and six touchdowns.
Surtain, whose father Patrick was a Pro Bowl cornerback for the Miami Dolphins, was a major cog in Alabama's defense en route to the title, posting 38 tackles and an interception while breaking up a career-high 12 passes.
Barmore, a 6'5", 310-pound sophomore, tallied eight sacks and three pass breakups with 22 tackles and three forced fumbles this season while dealing with a knee injury.
Mac Jones Says Alabama Is 'Best Team to Ever Play' After CFP Championship Win
Jan 12, 2021
Alabama quarterback Mac Jones passes against Ohio State during the second half of an NCAA College Football Playoff national championship game, Monday, Jan. 11, 2021, in Miami Gardens, Fla. (AP Photo/Chris O'Meara)
After securing a national championship with a 52-24 win over Ohio State on Monday, Alabama quarterback Mac Jones made a bold statement about his team.
"I think we're the best team to ever play," Jones told reporters. "There's no team that will ever play an SEC schedule like that again."
Alabama completed the season with a 13-0 record despite a brutal regular-season schedule that featured all conference opponents because of changes as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. The team finished with 11 SEC victories, adding wins over Notre Dame and Ohio State.
LSU went 15-0 last season but only nine games were against SEC teams.
While the resume of wins from Alabama was impressive on its own, the dominance takes things to another level.
The Crimson Tide beat three other teams ranked within the Top Five of the season-ending Associated Press poll and had little trouble with any of them, beating Ohio State, Notre Dame and Texas A&M by a combined 73 points.
The only game this season that was decided by single digits was in the SEC Championship Game against Florida.
Alabama's offense was the most impressive part of the team, averaging 48.5 points per game with at least 30 in every single game.
Three offensive players—Jones, DeVonta Smith and Najee Harris—finished in the top five of Heisman Trophy voting with Smith taking home the award.
Jones certainly did his part with 41 passing touchdowns and only four interceptions, totaling 464 yards and five scores in the title game against Ohio State.
It was truly an unstoppable team that definitely belongs among the best in college football history.
DeVonta Smith, Steve Sarkisian Put Together Perfect Alabama Sendoff in Title Win
Jan 12, 2021
Alabama wide receiver DeVonta Smith runs for a touchdown against Ohio State during the first half of an NCAA College Football Playoff national championship game, Monday, Jan. 11, 2021, in Miami Gardens, Fla. (AP Photo/Chris O'Meara)
As the reality set in for the Ohio State faithful Monday, a simple look at the box score explained the story.
Alabama quarterback Mac Jones had 342 yards and four touchdowns, and running back Najee Harris had accounted for 111 yards and two scores. Wide receiver DeVonta Smith—the Heisman Trophy winner—had caught 12 passes for 215 yards and three scores.
While the Buckeyes surely thought of their missed opportunities, the Crimson Tide didn't have time to celebrate. They needed to head to the locker room first.
After all, there were still 30 minutes to play in the national championship game.
For one last evening, the Alabama offense was unstoppable.
The nation's most efficient attack put up 7.5 yards per play in a 52-24 triumph. The dominant performance provided a fitting end to a spectacular year for this unit—an incredible collection of players and coaches who are now largely set for new destinations.
Smith, a senior, is a potential top-10 NFL draft pick. Despite missing the second half with a finger injury, he ended the 2020 season as the nation's leader in receptions, yards and touchdowns.
Jones and Harris will likely join Smith as first-round selections. Jones finished 36-of-45 with 464 yards and five touchdowns to zero interceptions, while Harris rushed for 79 yards, caught seven passes for 79 yards and totaled three scores.
For good measure, Jaylen Waddle returned from what was once thought to be a season-ending ankle injury to play a limited role, catching three passes for 34 yards. He's also a likely first-rounder.
The NCAA is not counting 2020 as a year of eligibility because of the coronavirus pandemic, so all four must declare for the draft. They'll leave, though, along with senior linemen Alex Leatherwood, Deonte Brown and Landon Dickerson.
Coordinator Steve Sarkisian is gone, too.
The former boss at Washington and USC, he accepted an offer Jan. 2 to become the head coach at Texas. On his final day with Alabama, Sark called a perfect game that put his players' extraordinary skills on display.
Some of it was simple. On two 4th-and-1 plays in the red zone, Jones handed Harris the ball. Neither call deserves much praise, yet after a weekend full of NFL teams that played scared, it was refreshing that the Tide were aggressive early.
Sarkisian stuck to the basics, leaning on run-pass options, screens, play-action rollouts and zone-beaters. Ohio State played to its Cover 1-Cover 3 identity, so much of that was expected.
But Alabama also utilized some nasty schemes to score its touchdowns.
In the first quarter, Sarkisian sent Smith in motion, pulling two defenders across the field. Smith, though, reversed direction and sprinted away from safety Josh Proctor—who also needed to recognize a crosser from the opposite side.
It fomented chaos for the Buckeyes and created an effortless touchdown. Pretty good combination, no?
Later in the first half, Sarkisian dialed up another simple-for-Alabama-but-taxing-for-Ohio State call.
Smith went in motion, changed direction twice and sprinted for the right corner of the end zone. By doing so, he beat cornerback Sevyn Banks even before the snap. Jones hit Smith in stride, and he waltzed in.
That play was planned for a short-yardage scoring situation, but, more importantly, it gave Smith an ideal matchup. The latter point is most important for any play-caller, and Sark constantly arranged similar scenarios throughout the game.
Just look at Smith's third touchdown.
Sarkisian knew Ohio State's reliance on Cover 3 meant he could get Smith on a linebacker. Tuf Borland found himself in the nauseating matchup. It's not his fault he followed the defensive call, but Borland had absolutely no chance.
Sark stressed the Buckeyes with jet motions, fake bubble screens, fake bubbles to wheel routes and on and on. He called a brilliant game in his Alabama finale.
But as Smith and Sarkisian deservingly landed the headline, Jones and Harris thrived, too. One play illustrated the impact they had.
On the Tide's third possession, Ohio State linebacker Baron Browning forced and recovered a fumble after a perfectly timed blitz. On the next drive, Browning executed another blitz. But this time, Jones saw the pressure and lofted a pass to Harris, who made two defenders miss and scored his second touchdown.
No matter what Ohio State did, Sarkisian had an answer. His solutions, though, revolved around his playmakers.
And the Buckeyes could not stop Smith, Jones or Harris.
They're in good company, of course. All three players finished in the top five in Heisman voting. No defense kept Alabama under six yards per play, and the Crimson Tide averaged 48.5 points per game en route to a 13-0 record and their sixth national championship in 12 years.
Barring a handful of stunning decisions, the offense will be substantially different next season. Alabama isn't thin on talent considering 5-star talent Bryce Young will replace Jones and John Metchie III will lead the receiving corps. Still, it will field an overhauled unit led by new coordinator Bill O'Brien.
That is coming, but it can wait.
For one final night, the Crimson Tide were overwhelming. Smith, Jones, Harris, Sarkisian and Co. will leave the Capstone as the offense that couldn't be stopped.
Follow Bleacher Report college football writer David Kenyon on Twitter @Kenyon19_BR.
DeVonta Smith, Mac Jones, Alabama Rout Ohio State to Win 2021 CFP Championship
Jan 11, 2021
Alabama wide receiver DeVonta Smith scores a touchdown past Ohio State safety Josh Proctor during the first half of an NCAA College Football Playoff national championship game, Monday, Jan. 11, 2021, in Miami Gardens, Fla. (AP Photo/Chris O'Meara)
For the sixth time in the last 12 seasons, the Alabama Crimson Tide are the national champions of college football.
Alabama earned a 52-24 win over the Ohio State Buckeyes on Monday night in the College Football Playoff National Championship, completing a perfect 13-0 season with one of the best offenses in history.
It was the DeVonta Smith show early at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida. The Heisman Trophy winner set a title game record with 12 catches and scored three touchdowns in the win:
A hand injury forced him off the field in the third quarter, but he did enough to give Alabama a 35-17 lead at halftime.
The offensive onslaught continued in the second half as Mac Jones finished with five touchdown passes despite injuring his leg, matching a career high and marking his eighth game with at least four scores this season.
Alabama built a 28-point lead early in the fourth quarter on Najee Harris' third touchdown and never looked back.
Crimson Tide head coach Nick Saban secured his seventh national championship, passing Bear Bryant for the most in history. This was his second undefeated team after the 2009 Tide finished 14-0.
Buckeyes quarterback Justin Fields was held to one touchdown and Ohio State couldn't keep up after running back Trey Sermon was injured on the first play of the game. The Buckeyes were seeking their first championship since the 2014 season and finished 7-1.
Notable Performances
Mac Jones, QB, ALA: 36-of-45, 464 passing yards, 5 TDs
If you're inside the three, Najee Harris becomes a walking (running?) touchdown. That guy is a bowling ball. He might be the most NFL ready player on the field tonight, & he showed it there. Patience to find the lane, let his block set up, powered through contact.
It’s taken awhile for Najee Harris to get the love and attention that his game deserves but he’s the prototype at the position. Big-bodied RB w/legit receiving skills. It’s hard to find route runners at his size at the position. #NFLDraft
Mac Jones will never get the credit he deserves because how his receivers/running backs finish the play. You get so caught in the wow factor you miss all the little things he does.
The Crimson Tide entered the day averaging 48.2 points per game and didn't slow down even against a tough defense. The talent and production of this unit could match almost any in college football history.
Short-Handed Ohio State Unable to Overcome Losses
Ohio State had 13 players unavailable for the game, including nose tackle Tommy Togiai, defensive end Tyreke Smith and kicker Blake Haubeil.
The situation got even worse when Sermon was injured on his first carry and brought to the hospital, per ESPN's Maria Taylor. It was a significant loss considering his impact:
If Sermon can’t play that’s disaster for Ohio state, he’s set the tone their last two games
Trey Sermon's shoulder injury is shades of the 2010 national championship game when Texas QB Colt McCoy injured his shoulder on the fifth play against Alabama, wrecking the Longhorns' title hopes.
Sermon was the Buckeyes' leading rusher this season and had been red hot with 524 rushing yards over his last two games, against Northwestern and Clemson.
And Fields played with a rib injury, so it was an uphill battle for Ohio State.
The Buckeyes still showed plenty of fight, including a pair of touchdowns by backup running back Master Teague III:
Quarterback is unquestionably the most important position in today's NFL . The problem is that there aren't enough high-level starters to fill all 32 starting jobs...
College Football Championship 2021: Odds, Prop Bets for Ohio State vs. Alabama
Jan 8, 2021
Ohio State quarterback Justin Fields passes against Clemson during the first half of the Sugar Bowl NCAA college football game Friday, Jan. 1, 2021, in New Orleans. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)
The Alabama Crimson Tide and Ohio State Buckeyes have put up high point totals on a consistent basis during the college football season.
Each participant in the College Football Playoff National Championship is capable of eclipsing the 40-point mark, which is why the over/under line for Monday's game has been set so high.
The team props for the SEC and Big Ten champions reflect that as well, as Alabama's over/under lies just above 40 and Ohio State sits at 33.5
In the playoff era, four of the six national championship winners scored over 40 points, including the last two title-winning sides.
If the 2021 edition lives up to the projected totals, Monday's game has the potential to be the highest-scoring title clash of the playoff era.
Money Line: Alabama (-286; bet $286 to win $100); Ohio State (+225; bet $100 to win $225)
Top Prop Bets
Alabama Team Total Points Over 41.5
By Alabama's lofty offensive standards, the 31-point output in the Rose Bowl was a bit disappointing.
The Crimson Tide controlled the contest against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish, but they did not blow them away on the scoreboard, as they did with plenty of their SEC opponents.
Nick Saban's team scored over 40 points in 10 of its 11 conference games and hit the 50-point mark on six occasions.
Since Ohio State's defense is far from perfect, the Crimson Tide should have a chance to eclipse their projected team total of 41.5 points.
The Buckeyes allowed four of their seven opponents to score over 25 points, and Clemson wracked up 28 points in the Sugar Bowl against Ryan Day's side.
Alabama possesses a much more dynamic offense than any of Ohio State's previous opposition, as it has three players who finished in the top five of the Heisman Trophy voting.
Najee Harris and DeVonta Smith will be tasked with making the majority of the big plays, but Mac Jones can spread the ball around to others. In the Rose Bowl win, the quarterback completed multiple passes to six of his teammates and seven Alabama players caught a pass.
If Jones keeps the Ohio State secondary off balance by spreading the ball around to the secondary targets around Smith, he could lead Alabama to a high points total.
If so, Alabama could become the fifth national champion in the playoff era to score at least 42 points in the national championship.
1st-Half Over 37.5 Points
The two teams started strong in their semifinal games. Ohio State scored a touchdown on two of its first three drives, while Alabama found the end zone on its first three series of the Rose Bowl.
If both teams open up the game at a high scoring pace, the first half over/under may end up as one of the easiest bets to cash on Monday.
Ohio State and Clemson combined for 28 first-quarter points in the Sugar Bowl. The Buckeyes did not make defensive adjustments to the Tigers' stars until the second quarter.
Alabama let up one first-half touchdown to Notre Dame, but the better game to base its first-half performance off of could be the SEC championship.
The Florida Gators produced 17 first-half points on December 19, with Kyle Trask using his abundance of offensive weapons to challenge Alabama's secondary to great effect.
Ohio State has the potential to wreak the same havoc through the likes of Chris Olave, Garrett Wilson and others who shined in the Sugar Bowl.
If Justin Fields tosses the ball around with ease before Alabama makes adjustments, the Buckeyes could go into the locker room with multiple touchdowns on the board.
The Crimson Tide can match any opponent's offensive numbers, and they can do so in a quick manner through Smith's speed and Harris' powerful rushing approach.
Alabama has 56 first-half points in its last two games, and if it continues to score at a high pace early in Monday's contest, the first-half over could clear with ease.
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College Football Awards 2020: Results, Winners, Highlights and Twitter Reaction
Jan 7, 2021
Alabama wide receiver DeVonta Smith (6) gains yardage after a catch in the first half of the Rose Bowl NCAA college football game against Notre Dame in Arlington, Texas, Friday, Jan. 1, 2021. (AP Photo/Roger Steinman)
Before Alabama and Ohio State battle for a national championship, the top players in the country were honored at Thursday's College Football Awards show.
Crimson Tide receiver DeVonta Smith already took home the 2020 Heisman Trophy, becoming the first receiver to win the prestigious award since 1991, but there was plenty more hardware to be handed out this week.
The National College Football Awards Association highlighted the best players at individual positions, as well as the top defensive and overall player in college football from the past season.
Even in a unique year, these young men stood above the rest.
In what might have been the closest race of the night, Mac Jones beat out fellow Heisman Trophy finalists Trevor Lawrence and Kyle Trask for the Davey O'Brien Award.
It put him in unique territory in the long history of his school:
Mac Jones becomes the first Alabama winner of the Davey O’Brien Award as nation’s best QB in its 40-year history:https://t.co/qTuyq4vpuy
This is even more surprising considering he sat behind elite college quarterbacks Jalen Hurts and Tua Tagovailoa earlier in his Alabama career.
Jones goes into the national championship game with 4,036 passing yards, 36 touchdowns and only four interceptions in 12 games. He has been the key to a team that averages 48.2 points per game and is undefeated with just one game left in the year.
Lawrence is considered one of the most talented quarterbacks in years and could be the No. 1 pick in the 2021 NFL draft, while Trask produced huge numbers for Florida. However, Jones was arguably even better leading the Crimson Tide:
It's quite an accomplishment for a player in his first full season as a starter.
Chuck Bednarik Award (Defensive Player of the Year)
Winner: Zaven Collins, Tulsa
Finalists: Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah, Notre Dame; Patrick Surtain II, Alabama
While a major story this season was the lack of respect to Group of Five teams, Zaven Collins was honored at an individual level thanks to his production this year at Tulsa.
The linebacker was all over the place this season, totaling four sacks, four interceptions and two forced fumbles. He returned two of those interceptions for touchdowns, including a game-sealing score in double overtime to beat Tulane.
It was enough to get the attention over elite defensive players who competed in the College Football Playoff:
Cool to see G5 guys get some love. One time for #Tulsa LB Zaven Collins on winning the Bednarik Award
Collins was under-recruited out of high school with just one Division I offer, but Tulsa gave him the chance and he became the best defensive player in the country.
The award given to the top interior linemen in the country was also won in recent years by Quinnen Williams and Cam Robinson.
Leatherwood has been one of the top offensive linemen in college football this year, excelling at left tackle after playing right guard earlier in his career. He's an anchor for a Crimson Tide offense that has allowed Jones to be sacked just eight times in 12 games.
It could lead to a long NFL career, but first Leatherwood will match up with a tough Ohio State front in the national championship.
Lou Groza Collegiate Place-Kicker Award
Winner: Jose Borregales, Miami
Finalists: Jake Oldroyd, BYU; Will Reichard, Alabama
No kicker in college football was more reliable than Miami's Jose Borregales, earning him the Lou Groza Award.
Add Lou Groza Award winner to Jose Borregales' accolades in his one season with the Miami Hurricanes!
The senior transferred from Florida International to Miami this year and was a key part of the team's success.
Borregales finished the year 20-of-22 on field goals, which tied for second in the country in made field goals, while his 90.9 percentage was also one of the best.
The kicker wasn't hitting chip shots either, making nine from at least 40 yards away and two from 50-plus. He hit a long of 57 yards in the September win over Louisville.
Adding in his perfect 37-of-37 on extra points and Borregales was simply outstanding in 2020.
Biletnikoff Award (Top Receiver)
Winner: DeVonta Smith, Alabama
Finalists: Elijah Moore, Ole Miss; Kyle Pitts, Florida
After winning the Heisman, it's no surprise Smith was named the best player at his position.
In the most un-shocking result #HesimanTrophy winner Devonta Smith wins the Biletnikoff award for being the best WR in the country. #RollTide
(this was about the least surprising one of the night)
— Yahoo Sports College Football (@YahooSportsCFB) January 8, 2021
The Alabama wideout has put up outstanding numbers throughout the year, entering the title game with 105 catches, 1,641 receiving yards and 20 receiving touchdowns.
He leads the nation in each category with one game still to go.
Perhaps most impressively, Smith has remained productive even with defenses doing everything they can to stop him. He had 15 catches for 184 yards in the SEC Championship Game against Florida, adding 130 yards and three scores in the national semifinals against Notre Dame.
The senior has truly been unstoppable this year, and the sky is the limit for him.
Meanwhile, Kyle Pitts became the first tight end to become a finalist for the award after scoring 12 touchdowns in eight games.
Miami had a chance to sweep the special teams awards, but it was Pressley Harvin III who won the Ray Guy Award as the best punter in college football. Not only is it a big win for him, but it also broke new ground at the position:
Harvin led the nation in punt yards last season and was even better in 2020 with fewer opportunities.
The senior averaged 48.0 yards per punt, best in college football, including a long of 70 yards.
He also has turned heads off the field:
Congrats to #GaTech punter Pressley Harvin III who has won the @RayGuyAward for 2020. Also an amazing person I’ve had the pleasure to know the last five years.
Though he is bigger than your usual punter at 255 pounds, Harvin was outstanding at his job the past couple of years and could continue punting on Sundays.
Rimington Trophy (Top Center)
Winner: Landon Dickerson, Alabama
Finalists: Tyler Linderbaum, Iowa; Josh Myers, Ohio State
Landon Dickerson provided one of the bigger moments of the night, bringing his teammates on screen to accept the award as the top center in college football:
Landon Dickerson brought his teammates on camera to accept his Rimington Award. pic.twitter.com/LktwiU3C7d
He was one of five Alabama players named to the first-team All-American offense and helped the Crimson Tide dominate offensively.
Unfortunately, a knee injury kept him out of the Rose Bowl and will hold him out of the title game against Ohio State.
Doak Walker Award (Top Running Back)
Winner: Najee Harris, Alabama
Finalists: Travis Etienne, Clemson; Breece Hall, Iowa State
A hurdle against Notre Dame was the most memorable moment of the season for Najee Harris, but it continued what has been an incredible year for the Alabama running back.
Harris leads all players in college football with 27 touchdowns, adding 1,387 rushing yards and 346 receiving yards in 12 games. He was at his best in the SEC Championship Game, scoring five touchdowns with 245 yards from scrimmage against Florida.
With his impressive 6.1 yards per attempt against top competition all year, it was enough to become the latest Alabama winner.
Najee Harris joins Trent Richardson and Derrick Henry as the third @AlabamaFTBL player to win the Doak Walker Award.
Harris was still the deserving winner as a first-team All-American who was nearly unstoppable in 2020.
Paycom Jim Thorpe Award (Top Defensive Back)
Winner: Trevon Moehrig, TCU
Finalists: Richie Grant, UCF; Patrick Surtain II, Alabama
Patrick Surtain II has a bright future and was a finalist for both the top defensive back and top defensive player, but it was Trevon Moehrig who took home the Jim Thorpe Award in an upset.
TCU finished with just a 6-4 record in 2020, but Moehrig stood out with his play at safety.
He ranked third on the team with 47 tackles, two for a loss, while his nine passes defended were among the most in college football despite playing just 10 games. He also added two interceptions during the outstanding season.
The Horned Frogs had problems offensively, but Moehrig's presence in the back of the defense helped hold opponents to just 24.2 points per game.
It allowed the junior to become the first TCU player to win the Thorpe Award and a rare safety to be honored, with high-profile cornerbacks often taking home hardware.
Maxwell Award (Player of the Year)
Winner: DeVonta Smith, Alabama
Finalists: Mac Jones, Alabama; Trevor Lawrence, Clemson
Just like with the Heisman Trophy, Smith was again named the best player in college football by winning the Maxwell Award.
This has also become mostly a quarterback award with passers winning in six of the last seven years. Desmond Howard was the last receiver to win until this year as Smith continues to break all the norms.
Alabama never had a Maxwell winner from its inception in 1937 through 2012, but things have certainly changed over the last few years:
DeVonta Smith wins the Maxwell Award as college football’s player of the year, joining three other Alabama players in history: AJ McCarron (2013), Derrick Henry (2015) and Tua Tagovailoa (2018).
It also continued a dominant run from the Crimson Tide with six trophies going to the No. 1 team in the country Thursday night.
Lawrence had an outstanding career, but he was shut out Thursday.
Disney Spirit Award
Winner: Darien Rencher, Clemson
An award that had little to do with on-field play, Darien Rencher was honored with the Disney Spirit Award for his off-field actions:
The Disney Spirit Award goes to @ClemsonFB’s Darien Rencher.
The senior, who overcame injuries in high school and eventually earned a scholarship, is college football’s most inspirational individual. pic.twitter.com/w0yyIecDZD
He also took on a major role in representing players' fight to continue the 2020 season after it was threatened by COVID-19, organizing the "We Want to Play" movement.
The senior finished his season at Clemson with just 24 carries for 137 yards and a touchdown, but his impact in 2020 was far greater than his statistics.
DeVonta Smith Wins 2020 Maxwell Award over Trevor Lawrence, Mac Jones
Jan 7, 2021
Alabama wide receiver DeVonta Smith (6) gains yardage after a catch in the first half of the Rose Bowl NCAA college football game against Notre Dame in Arlington, Texas, Friday, Jan. 1, 2021. (AP Photo/Roger Steinman)
Alabama wide receiver DeVonta Smith was named the winner of the 2020 Maxwell Award on Thursday as the top player in college football as voted by the Maxwell Football Club panel.
Smith edged out fellow finalists Alabama quarterback Mac Jones and Clemson quarterback Trevor Lawrence.
It's the latest major award for Smith, who took home the Heisman Trophy on Tuesday night.
The 22-year-old was named the SEC Offensive Player of the Year, the Associated Press College Football Player of the Year and the winner of the Paul Hornung Award. He was also voted an AP first-team All-American and has a chance to capture the national title with a Crimson Tide win over Ohio State.
Smith has recorded 105 catches for 1,641 yards and 20 touchdowns in 12 games. The Louisiana native also has tallied a rushing score and a punt-return TD heading into the College Football Playoff championship game on Monday.
It was likely his performance in the SEC title game—15 receptions for 184 yards and two scores—that put him over the top in the race for the sport's most coveted honors.
Smith, a top prospect for the 2021 NFL draft, joins a recent list of Maxwell Award winners that includes Derrick Henry, Lamar Jackson, Baker Mayfield, Tua Tagovailoa and Joe Burrow.
The Maxwell Award has been handed out since 1937. Florida quarterback Tim Tebow (2007-08) and Notre Dame running back Johnny Lattner (1952-53) are the only players to win the award in back-to-back years. With all three of this year's finalists destined for the NFL, that group will remain intact heading toward the 2021 season.
Mac Jones Named 2020 Davey O'Brien Award Winner over Trevor Lawrence, Kyle Trask
Jan 7, 2021
Alabama quarterback Mac Jones (10) warms up before the start of their Rose Bowl NCAA college football game against Notre Dame in Arlington, Texas, Friday, Jan. 1, 2021. (AP Photo/Roger Steinman)
Alabama star Mac Jones won the Davey O'Brien Award, which is handed out to the best quarterback in the country, on Thursday:
In what can be termed a minor upset, Jones beat out Clemson's Trevor Lawrence and Florida's Kyle Trask. Lawrence entered as the favorite, having finished second in the Heisman Trophyvoting. Jones trailed closely behind in third.
Jones is the first Alabama quarterback to receive the O'Brien Award.
His profile has risen significantly since he was largely known as the guy who replaced an injured Tua Tagovailoa last season. The junior made a name for himself in 2020 after throwing for 4,036 yards, 36 touchdowns and four interceptions. His 203.0 passer rating was also first in FBS.
Jones' best performance came in the Crimson Tide's win over Texas A&M on Oct. 3. He went 20-of-27 for 435 yards, four touchdowns and an interception.
The presence of DeVonta Smith certainly made Jones' life easier. Smith became the first wide receiver since Desmond Howard in 1991 to win the Heisman.
Still, Jones broke Alabama's single-season passing record despite losing one of his best wideouts, Jaylen Waddle, after five games.
While Thursday's victory represents a nice feather in his cap, the Jacksonville, Florida, native probably doesn't consider his job done just yet. Alabama plays Ohio State on Monday night in the College Football National Championship Game.
