DeVonta Smith Will Serve as an Honorary Captain on Saturday

Former Alabama wide receiver DeVonta Smith will serve as an honorary captain this Saturday as the Crimson Tide kickoff the 2021 season against the Miami Hurricanes. Smith enjoyed an illustrious career at the University of Alabama, putting together one of the greatest careers for wide receiver in college football history.

Last season, Smith rewrote the college football record books in route to becoming the first wide receiver to win the Heisman trophy since Michigan's Desmond Howard in 1991.

The Louisiana native broke the SEC record for receiving yards and touchdowns in a single-season, collecting a ton of hardware in the process. He won the Walter Camp, Maxwell, Biletnikoff and Paul Hornung Awards. Smith was also named the SEC Offensive Player of the Year, Associated Press College Football Player of the Year and Sporting News Player of the Year and helped guide Alabama to its 18th national championship.

Smith left Tuscaloosa as Alabama's career leader in receptions, the SEC all-time leader in receiving yards and his 46 career touchdown catches are the most by a Power 5 receiver.

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As a freshman in 2017, Smith had a limited role in the Crimson Tide offense, but he delivered when it mattered. Smith reeled in a 26-yard touchdown reception from Jalen Hurts against Mississippi State to give Alabama the lead with just 25 seconds left to play. Next, quarterback Tua Tagovailoa connected with Smith for 41-yard touchdown pass in overtime to secure the Crimson Tide with its 17th national championship.

After his heroics in the national championship, Smith saw an increased role as a sophomore. He hauled in 42 catches for 693 yards and six touchdowns, 26 of his catches went for a first down or touchdown. The next season, Smith had a breakout season recording 68 receptions for 1,256 yards and 14 touchdowns. Against Ole Miss, Smith set the Alabama single-game receiving records with 274 yards and five touchdowns. He was the first Crimson Tide wideout to notch multiple 200-plus yard performances in a single season since Amari Cooper in 2014. Smith earned Second-Team All-American honors by the Associated Press and The Sporting News and First-Team All-SEC First-Team honors from the Associated Press.

Alabama will face off against Miami on Saturday, Sep. 4 in Atlanta, the game will also air on ABC. Hall of Fame wide receiver Michael Irvin will serve as an honorary captain for the Canes.