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Alabama wide receiver DeVonta Smith and offensive coordinator Steve Sarkisian tried their best not to focus on their own decisive moments as they prepare for Monday’s game with Ohio State in the National Championships. college football qualifiers.
On Wednesday, Smith chose not to revel in becoming the first wide receiver to win the Heisman Trophy since 1991. He said he returned home from Tuesday’s virtual ceremony and “fell asleep straight away.”
“Last night was a great feeling,” Smith said. “It was just a blessing to be in this situation with [quarterback Mac Jones and coach Nick Saban]. But now that’s in the past, and now it’s in the state of Ohio. “
Smith, who has led the country in receptions, receiving yards and receiving touchdowns, will likely face Ohio State All-America cornerback Shaun Wade in Monday’s Championship game (8 p.m. ET, ESPN) .
Smith called Wade a “crafty” player who is “a technician with everything he does.”
“I’m looking forward to my last game,” Smith said. “I’m only guaranteed the latter, so I can’t wait to get to play against him.”
Smith is Mel Kiper’s fourth-best prospect in the 2021 NFL Draft and his No. 1 ranked receiver.
Sarkisian, who will become the Texas Longhorns’ next head coach after Monday’s title game, said he was “clearly excited about the opportunity” that awaits him in Austin. However, he asked on Wednesday that any questions were about his remaining duties with the Crimson Tide.
Sarkisian, who previously served as a head coach at Washington (2009-2013) and USC (2014-2015), has been Alabama’s offensive coordinator for the past two seasons.
“The commitment I made to Coach Saban two years ago is the same one I made to these players, and it is focused on this game,” Sarkisian said. “Give this game the attention it deserves so that our players have the opportunity to play to the best of their ability.”
Sarkisian said he is trying to keep this week as normal as possible.
“All the free time that I have, that catches my eye for the position in Texas, whether it’s staffing or recruiting, things of that nature,” he said.
Sarkisian said Alabama wide receiver and return specialist Jaylen Waddle, who suffered an ankle injury against Tennessee in mid-October and has not been in a game since, trained on Tuesday. Sarkisian would not provide any updates beyond that.
“We’ll see where it goes from here,” Sarkisian said.
Before his injury, Waddle caught 25 passes and four touchdowns. As a returns specialist, he averaged 19.3 yards on punt returns over his three seasons.
Smith said Waddle looked good in training, but offered only a brief response when asked if he thought his teammate would be able to play.
“No comment,” Smith said.
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