Returning standouts find more success
Devonta Smith could be tearing up the NFL instead of the Southeastern Conference.
The Alabama standout has 38 receptions for 483 yards and four touchdowns in four games, including consecutive performances in which he topped 160 yards while helping the second-ranked Crimson Tide score a combined 104 points.
Even Georgia’s Nfl-ready secondary looked ill-equipped trying to cover him.
It showed what many already knew: Smith could have turned pro in January, joining fellow SEC receivers Henry Ruggs, Jerry Jeudy and Justin Jefferson in leaving early, and would be doing just fine at the next level.
But Smith chose to stay in school after the Tide failed to reach the College Football Playoff for the first time in his three seasons and then shunned thoughts about opting out amid the coronavirus pandemic.
He’s not alone, either. Other SEC players also delayed NFL riches and essentially gambled on themselves. There’s no senioritis here. Most of them have enjoyed early season success, just not as much as Smith has in Tuscaloosa:
Feleipe Franks, Arkansas: Working out for NFL teams wasn’t a viable option for the strong-armed quarterback after he broke his right ankle in September 2019. But there were reports he might go play baseball after leaving Florida. He stuck to football, transferred to Arkansas and has been instrumental in the team’s 2-2 start. His eight touchdown passes are already more than any Arkansas QB threw last year.
Najee Harris, Alabama: The running back already has 11 touchdowns. The 6-foot-2, 230- pound senior ran for 206 yards and five scores at Mississippi. He followed that with 152 yards and a touchdown on 31 carries against Georgia. The Bulldogs hadn’t allowed a rushing score and entered the game allowing a nation-leading 38.3 yards a game on the ground.
“All of us are creating more value for ourselves by winning each game because when you win a game it brings a lot of national notoriety — all the players, not just one particular player,” Harris said after his five-td day.
Alex Leatherwood, Alabama: The 6- foot- 6, 312- pound left tackle has started 32 consecutive games and anchors a line that’s the building blocks for an offense that ranks second in the nation in scoring.
Richard Lecounte, Georgia:
He leads the team in turnovers created the last two seasons. In 2019, the Bulldogs had 15 turnovers and he was part of seven of them. He leads them with three picks this season and is one of the best free safeties in college football.
Kellen Mond, Texas A&M: A rare, four-year starting quarterback in the SEC, Mond has become the program’s all-time passing leader while guiding the seventh-ranked Aggies to a 3-1 start. He has a career-best 144.9 passer rating in his third season with coach Jimbo Fisher. He’s also doing it without top receiver Jhamon Ausbon, who opted out to prepare for the draft.