DeVonta Smith comes from the most successful programs in college football. He knows what it takes to succeed. Now, after the Eagles drafted him with the No. 12 overall pick, Smith wants to bring that same mentality to Philadelphia.
"I think in Philadelphia, we are going to try to change the culture around us," said Smith when he joined Angelo Cataldi on Friday morning. "With us working hard and doing the things we are supposed to do, I am expecting to win. But it doesn't happen overnight. You have to put in the work and let it all work out."
Smith joins an Eagles team that finished last in the NFC East with a 4-11-1 record in 2020. They have holes to fill throughout their roster, but Smith could be a potential franchise-altering offensive threat. The Heisman trophy winner tallied over 1,800 yards and 23 touchdowns his senior year at Alabama, yet it was his ability to thrive under pressure that the Eagles fell in love with. Take, for instance, his game-winning touchdown catch as a true freshman in the 2018 College Football Playoff National Championship.
"It really just came down to always being prepared when your number is called. I didn't get any opportunities in that game until that play. Me just being ready, working throughout the week and waiting for mine, my number is going to get called. When they called it, I was ready for it."
Of course, Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts was apart of that team and played with Smith for two seasons at Alabama before transferring to Oklahoma. Hurts was excited that his former teammate was drafted by his squad, and Smith was equally as excited to reunite.
"I think it will just because you know how he operates, the way he moves around and things like that. It helps you because you don't necessarily have to adapt as much to a new quarterback because you already have that connection with him. You know the way he thinks."
When Angelo asked about what he's heard about Philadelphia fans, Smith laughed a bit:
"I heard the fans are wild! It's a blue collared city where the fans just love football. That's a place you want to be."
