DeVonta Smith
Biography
DeVonta Smith, the "Slim Reaper," became the first WR to win the Heisman since 1991. He caught the game-winning TD in the 2017 National Title game as a freshman and dominated college football as a senior with 1,856 yards and 23 TDs.
Achievements
- Heisman Trophy (2020)
- National Champion (2017, 2020)
- Biletnikoff Award (2020)
- SEC all-time leading receiver
Notable Iron Bowl Games
The 2017 Iron Bowl was the climax of Auburn's late-season resurgence. Facing #1 Alabama with the SEC West title on the line, the #6 Tigers delivered their most complete performance of the Gus Malzahn era, dominating the Crimson Tide 26-14 at Jordan-Hare Stadium. The hero for Auburn was running back Kerryon Johnson. Despite battling injuries, Johnson was a workhorse, carrying the ball 30 times for 104 yards and a touchdown. He also threw a touchdown pass on a trick play jump-pass to Nate Craig-Myers. Defensively, Auburn won the game. Led by Jeff Holland and a fierce pass rush, Auburn hounded Jalen Hurts all night, limiting the dangerous dual-threat quarterback to just 112 passing yards. Alabama converted only 3 of 11 third downs. The signature moment came when Auburn forced two bad snaps from Alabama's center, stalling drives and killing the Tide's momentum.
The 2020 Iron Bowl was a mismatch of historic proportions, serving as a revenge game for Alabama after the heartbreak of 2019. Played in front of a sparse, COVID-restricted crowd at Bryant-Denny Stadium, top-ranked Alabama didn't just beat #22 Auburn; they dismantled them 42-13. Quarterback Mac Jones delivered a flawless performance, throwing for 302 yards and tying an Iron Bowl record with five touchdown passes. His primary target, DeVonta Smith, was unstoppable. The Heisman Trophy winner-to-be caught seven passes for 171 yards and two touchdowns, including a 66-yard strike that left the Auburn secondary in the dust. Najee Harris pounded the Auburn defense for 96 yards and a touchdown. Defensively, Alabama was suffocating, holding Bo Nix and the Auburn offense to just 13 points and forcing two interceptions. Unlike the chaotic shootouts of previous years, this was a clinical, methodical dismantling by a team destined for the National Championship.