Devonta Smith waiting for the ball to be thrown to the bottom of the field.
When La Salle High School faced Lakota East High School this season, Smith safely covered the punch line 15 yards on a special play midway through the game. The Akota East had a jet hit the punch line. As Smith watched the game unfold, he took off.
After 15 yards in an instant, Smith stopped lakota East’s ball carrier on the punch line.
“It’s definitely going to translate well,” Smith said. I will continue to do what I do and be consistent in my training. “
Smith made those plays at La Salle his best school career. Cincinnati’s four-star corner committed to Alabama on Wednesday’s national signature day, opting for Crimson Tide donations from schools such as Ohio State, Michigan and the University of Cincinnati.
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“He’s a flexible guy,” said La Salle’s head coach, Pat McLaughlin. “He played the attack, the defense and the special groups for us. He’ll play in a corner there, and his roof is very, very high. “
According to 24/7Sports, Smith is the 25th most productive defensive part of the 2021 recruiting class. Smith had signed up for Ohio in the past, but on June 29, he reversed his engagement to Alabama.
“I bring a winning attitude,” Smith said, “Bring that fire, this festival and compete with everyone on the field, no matter who it is.
The Crimson Tides have a defensive back with a special ability to make great plays. At La Salle, Smith played security. He helped dominate some of Cincinnati’s most sensitive open receivers, adding Liam Clifford of St.
When Clifford faced La Salle, Penn State’s engagement had six receptions for 55 yards.
“He’s a very smart cornerback,” said Bill Kurelic of 24 / 7Sports. “He’s actually one of the most productive in the state of Ohio. He’s going to have a long and wonderful career in Alabama. I’m going to a show where he’s at. It’s hard to be on the field, but (Smith) will eventually enter the field as a starter. at the time or in his third year. “
In a La Salle team with four defensive backs linked to Division 1, Smith excelled. Rival groups have rarely left Smith behind in his senior year, so he has had only two interceptions and 32 tackles this season.
But Smith’s effect was felt in the field.
“His speed and reaction time are incredible,” said Anderson’s head coach Evan Dreyer, who lost to La Salle in the 2020 playoffs. “His ability to face the open area is his greatest strength. With his ball skills, he’s an explosive. “game maker on both sides of the box.
Smith’s feature is to mix his ability to read routes with his elite athletics. Against Anderson, Smith came here out of nowhere to get an interception before putting his feet on the sideline while returning the ball to the field.
At 6 feet and 185 pounds, Smith already has the caliber and speed of the NFL.
In a game opposed to Elder, his department rival, Smith saw a Panthers player catch a short pass from the opposite side of the area. The Salle had no other defensive player near the older player who made the catch, so Smith rushed through the box to make the shot and save him a first try.
“You’ll never get an explosive game if it’s on the field,” Dreyer said. “Universities are looking for how fast you can move from point A to point B. He did it and didn’t miss any tackles. “
Smith has been a highly sought-after prospect. After this year, Smith had donations from Cincinnati, Kentucky and Minnesota. Then, when he got off to a smart start in the junior season, Smith began listening from Ohio State.
He pledged to play for the Buckeyes on March 16, but three months later announced that he was on his way to the SEC to play for Alabama.
“Which made me decide on the environment of the family circle and the appointments I have with the coaches,” Smith said.
Smith is the second-ranked defensive part in Alabama’s top-ranked recruiting class, which includes six five- and 12-star players. Crimson Tide has a history of turning clients like Smith into NFL players. Alabama did this with the top spot, draft picks of the round like Dr. Kirkpatrick, Marlon Humphrey, Minkah Fitzpatrick and Xavier McKinney.
Smith formalized his engagement on Wednesday by signing his letter of intent to play for head coach Nick Saban in Alabama. Smith said he hopes to do it in the corner, but few high school football players in the 2021 recruiting elegance have Smith’s versatility as a defensive medium.
For the first time in his career, Smith will be able to concentrate on his speed and strength in a bachelor position.
“Once you’re there, it’s education and you’re getting along well with Coach Saban and the defensive staff there, I think you’re going to excel in the corner,” McLaughlin said.