Third-year safety DeVonta Smith making progress in preseason camp
TUSCALOOSA, Ala. – Third-year defensive back DeVonta Smith missed spring practice due to an injury, and with Alabama adding talented newcomers like 5-star freshman Caleb Downs and UAB transfer Jaylen Key, some might forget about the program veteran this preseason.
But during the Crimson Tide’s open practice on Saturday, it was Smith and Downs that manned the first-team safety positions for most of the two-hour workout at Bryant-Denny Stadium. Some of that might have been due to Kristian Story sporting a knee brace, but he participated in drills with the second unit while Smith played next to Downs, the promising true freshman.
Smith has made steady progress over his career and could be in for a larger role as a junior.
“DeVonta is a really good athlete,” head coach Nick Saban said. “He’s a hard worker. He’s got bigger and stronger. He’s got really good speed. He’s been a very good special teams player for us in the past. I think his knowledge and experience are starting to sort of come to fruition in the secondary. He’s very conscientious of not making the mental errors that have been a little bit of an Achilles heel in the past, so we’re very pleased with the progress that he’s making.”
A former 4-star recruit out of Cincinnati, Smith has played in 18 games over the last two years, primarily contributing on special teams and as a backup safety. The 6-foot, 194-pound defensive back, who is related to former Alabama standout Shaun Alexander, was considered the nation’s No. 133 overall prospect and 14th-best cornerback in the 2021 class, according to On3.
He made the transition to safety at the next level, and with guys like Jordan Battle, Brian Branch and DeMarcco Hellams moving on after the 2022 season, there are plenty of opportunities for players like Smith to make a move in camp. He will have to hold off the likes of Story, Key and others in the safety room, but those that see him in practice have been impressed by Smith.
“I would say Ta’s biggest thing was just learning the plays,” said senior Malachi Moore, who worked at Star with the ones on Saturday. “And he’s done a great job of coming in and learning the adjustments and thinking forward to when the offense is motioning and being ahead of all the tasks and ahead of all the calls and communicating with the corners, the Stars, even the linebackers.
“I like the way Ta’s progressing.”
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