Within the last decade, nine wide receivers have been drafted out of Alabama, including Amari Cooper, Calvin Ridley, and Julio Jones. That crop has had stellar NFL careers, but when it's all said and done, where will Devonta Smith rank among them?
"Honestly, only behind Julio Jones," said Tide 100.9 FM's Gary Harris. "I think that Devonta Smith is a terrific football player. I still think he is the best three-down wide receiver in this draft ahead of the two guys that went in front of him. When you add in the off the field quality of the person, I think it's a grand slam for Philadelphia."
"Calvin Ridley is doing well, [Alabama] has wide receivers all over the league, two first rounders last year in Jerry Jeudy and Henry Ruggs, but I would put Smith only behind Julio Jones. I think in time, that will play out in the NFL. I just think he is an incredible football player and a top-notch human being as well."
Harris has been covering Alabama football since the late 1990s as the Sports Director at WVUA 23 in Tuscaloosa. He also hosts his own radio show as a Tide Insider and has seen it all, from Jones to Smith.
After a stellar career at Alabama, Jones became the fastest player in NFL history to reach 10,000 career receiving yards midway through his eighth NFL season. He finished his collegiate career with 179 receptions, 15 touchdowns and over 2,600 yards.
Smith, on the other hand, finished his career with 235 receptions, 46 touchdowns and over 3,900 career yards. He holds the SEC and Alabama receiving touchdowns record, passing Amari Cooper on the way, and the career receiving yards record.
