It was quite the night for Alabama wide receiver DeVonta Smith, who caught three touchdowns in the first half of the College Football Playoff National Championship presented by AT&T against Ohio State.
While Smith missed the majority of the second half with a right hand injury, the Heisman Trophy winner's first-half stats on Monday were plenty good on their own -- 12 receptions for 215 yards and three touchdowns. According to ESPN Stats & Information research, Smith had more TDs and total yards than Ohio State's entire offense in the first half.
He also broke three SEC records.
Naturally, Smith set the Twitter world aflame with his performance during Alabama's 52-24 win, which also saw those around the sports world celebrate Bama's title.
Noted Buckeyes fan LeBron James could only praise Smith:
DeVonte Smith is one of the best pure receivers I've ever watched! Like a mix between Reggie Wayne and Marvin Harrison. Man he's good!
— LeBron James (@KingJames) January 12, 2021
NFL stars from Patrick Mahomes to J.J. Watt to Davante Adams (who is ready to accept anyone misspelling his name if they spell it "DeVonta") chimed in too.
Also, let it be known that Smith now joins Adams as the only players in the past 15 seasons with 200 receiving yards and three receiving TDs in three games in a single collegiate season, per ESPN Stats & Info data.
Lol they just need to put like everybody on him
— Patrick Mahomes II (@PatrickMahomes) January 12, 2021
DeVonta is going crazyyyyyy!!!!!!!
— JJ Watt (@JJWatt) January 12, 2021
From now on if u misspell my name make sure it's Devonta cuz he that boy.
— Davante Adams (@tae15adams) January 12, 2021
Yea smith something serious....
— Dez Bryant (@DezBryant) January 12, 2021
That boy DeVonta Smith Cold Cold !!
— Desean Jackson (@DeSeanJackson10) January 12, 2021
Wow lol.. yeah it's over. They can't stop 6
— Jalen Ramsey (@jalenramsey) January 12, 2021
Former Bama QB and current Houston Texans backup AJ McCarron, who had a slew of offensive skill players during his time in Tuscaloosa, also showered Smith with praise.
That cover 3 and man coverage isn't working to guard @DeVontaSmith_6 tonight! Wow!! What a first half!! #RTR #LFG
— AJ McCarron (@10AJMcCarron) January 12, 2021
Adrian Peterson hopped on the pro-Smith train too:
DeVonta Smith is built different
— Adrian Peterson (@AdrianPeterson) January 12, 2021
And of course, former Heisman winner Johnny Manziel added his two cents:
Can't stop the heisman
— Johnny Manziel (@JManziel2) January 12, 2021
Former Alabama players (and the band) joined in the postgame celebration, as well:
Greatest WR to play college football @DeVontaSmith_6
— Jerry Jeudy⁴ (@jerryjeudy) January 12, 2021
18 natties‼️ https://t.co/vLu4NfBs64
— Mark Ingram II (@markingram21) January 12, 2021
One thing for sure , when u go to Bama as a recruit you will WIN a Natty! #Bama #RollTide
— OJ Howard ™ (@TheRealOjHoward) January 12, 2021
"Bama bludgeons the Buckeyes" and "Saban with his seventh national championship!"
— Alabama Bands (@AlabamaBands) January 12, 2021
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Us right now: pic.twitter.com/R2UG2TyDZJ
