Hartford Courant

Heisman winner

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Alabama’s DeVonta Smith first receiver to win award since 1991.

OnanAlabam­a team stacked with stars, DeVonta Smith emerged as the best player in college football.

Smith became the first wide receiver to win the Heisman Trophy in 29 seasons Tuesday night, breaking the monopoly quarterbac­ks have had on college football’s most prestigiou­s award by beating out three of them.

“I want to thank my teammates,” Smith said during his acceptance speech. “With team success comes individual success so without you all, I wouldn’t be where I’m at today, winning this award.”

Smith finished with 447 first-place votes and 1,856 points to easily outdistanc­e Clemson’s Trevor Lawrence (222, 1,187), Alabama teammate Mac Jones (138, 1,130) and Florida’s Kyle Trask (61, 737).

Crimson Tide running back Najee Harris finished fifth in the voting, making No. 1 Alabama the second team in the 95-year history of the Heisman to have three of the top five vote-getters. Army did it in 1946 with Glenn Davis (first), Doc Blanchard (fourth) and Arnold Tucker (fifth).

Smith, a senior, is the fourth receiver to win the Heisman, joining Michigan’s Desmond Howard in 1991, Notre Dame’s TimBrownin­1987andNeb­raska’s Johnny Rodgers in 1972.

QBs had won 17 of the previous 20 Heisman trophies, including the last four.

Smith was presented with the award in a virtual ceremony orchestrat­ed by ESPN. The usual trip to New York for the finalists was called off because of the pandemic.

Smith accepted the trophy in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, decked out in a deep crimson jacket and shiny black bow tie.

His parents watched from a community center in his hometown of Amite, Louisiana, where a socially distanced watch party was held.

Smith is the third Alabama player to win the Heisman, all since 2009.

Alabama faces Ohio State on Jan. 11 in the College Football Playoff title game in Miami Gardens, Florida.

Smith has 105 catches for 1,641 yards and 22 total TDs going into the final game of his college career — which will also be his third national championsh­ip game.

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MATTHEWHIN­TON/AP

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