For the first time since Michigan wide receiver Desmond Howard won the Heisman Trophy back in 1991, Alabama’s DeVonta Smith ended the wide receiver drought by winning the Heisman Trophy Tuesday night in a virtual ceremony on ESPN.
Smith is now the sixth wide receiver to win the Heisman since the Heiman started in 1935. The other wide receivers to win the Heisman are Yale’s Larry Kelley in 1936, Notre Dame’s Leon Hart in 1949, Nebraska’s Johnny Rodgers in 1972, and Notre Dame’s Tim Brown in 1987.
Smith beat his teammate Mac Jones, who finished third, Clemson quarterback Trevor Lawrence finished second, and Florida quarterback Kyle Trask was fourth. The other nominees were Alabama running back Najee Harris, Iowa State running back Breece Hall, Ohio State quarterback Justin Fields, BYU quarterback Zack Wilson, Notre Dame quarterback Ian Book Florida tight end Kyle Pitts.
This year, Smith caught 105 passes for 1,641-yards, 20 touchdowns, and one rushing touchdown. He has 223 receptions for 3,750 and 43 touchdowns with one game left in his four-year college career. He is projected to be a top ten pick in April’s NFL Draft.
The senior from Amite City, LA, will end his college playing career next Monday as the Crimson Tide battle the Ohio State Buckeyes for the CFP National Championship. Smith is the third player under the Nick Sabin era to win the Heisman, joining Mark Ingram (09) and Derek Henry (15).
Here are the final votes for the 2020 Heisman Trophy:
1. DeVonta Smith, Alabama (WR) — 1,856
2. Trevor Lawrence, Clemson (QB) — 1,187
3. Mac Jones, Alabama (QB) — 1,130
4. Kyle Trask, Florida (QB) — 737
5. Najee Harris, Alabama (RB) — 216
6. Breece Hall, Iowa State (RB) — 64
7. Justin Fields, Ohio State (QB) — 48
8. Zach Wilson, BYU (QB) — 42
9. Ian Book, Notre Dame (QB) — 38
10. Kyle Pitts, Florida (TE) — 24
