De’Veon Smith (image via FanSided)
To encourage users to upload avatars, I will be choosing a number out of a hat for a $25 Amazon gift card. Any user with an uploaded avatar will be eligible to win, and the numbers will correspond with your sign-up date. So if you were the first user to upload an avatar, you will be #1 (that’s you, GKBlue). If you were fifth, you’ll be #5 (like MGoDude). The first drawing will take place when we reach 25 uploaded avatars. Right now we’re at ten. Of course, if you haven’t signed up for the site, you can’t upload an avatar. Once you do sign up and sign in, you can edit your profile by clicking on the bar at the top of your browser. Happy avataring!
HIGH SCHOOL
Smith attended Warren (OH) Howland and was part of the 2013 recruiting class. Here’s my commitment post for him (LINK), replete with a bunch of accurate statements about his game. The one thing I whiffed on was the final TTB Rating of 63 (LINK), in which I assumed he would be a backup for most of his career while sitting behind Derrick Green. Oops. More on that later.
Hit the jump for more on the career of De’Veon Smith.
COLLEGE
Smith played in four games as a backup running back behind Fitzgerald Toussaint and Derrick Green, finishing with 26 carries for 117 yards (4.5 YPC). As a sophomore in 2014, he started twice and ran 108 times for 519 yards (4.8 YPC) and 6 touchdowns; that season included his first 100-yard game, which came against Appalachian State in the season opener. He became the full-time starter in 2015 and ended with 180 carries for 753 yards (4.2 YPC) and 6 TDs, highlighted by a 60-yard career highlight run against BYU. Solidly entrenched as a starter, he returned in 2016 to carry the ball 181 times for 846 yards (4.7 YPC) and 10 TDs.
CAREER STATS
495 carries for 2,235 yards (4.5 YPC) and 22 TDs
38 catches for 251 yards (6.6 YPC) and 1 TD
AWARDS
All-Big Ten Honorable Mention (2016)
SUMMARY
Despite my mediocre evaluation of him coming out of high school, Smith had a decent career for the Wolverines. He took over the starting job as a true junior and held onto it through his senior year, largely because Jim Harbaugh seemed to like his toughness and ball security. If you want smashmouth football, you can do worse than Smith. While he never put up great numbers, he finished his career with a respectable 4.5 yards per carry. He’s also #17 in all-time rushing attempts and #20 in career rushing yards. He had some runs that made me laugh because of opponents’ inability to tackle him, and he seemed to personally take upon himself the intention to win the game against Indiana in 2016. His best career game was his 23 carries for 158 yards (6.9 YPC) and 2 touchdowns against the Hoosiers, which came when backup QB John O’Korn started in place of Wilton Speight. Smith seemed to be running with some extra fire in that game, and without him, I think Michigan probably loses that game.
I WILL REMEMBER HIM FOR . . .
. . . beating out Derrick Green. It’s not the only example we have, but it reinforced the idea that not all highly rated recruits are destined for success. Green had some decent stats at Michigan (471 yards, 5.7 YPC, 3 TDs in 2014), but he lost his job when Jim Harbaugh entered the fray and transferred to TCU, where he was also an inconsequential backup. Smith was the tougher runner and played with more of an edge, and that pushed him past Green, who arguably had the better physique and straight-line speed.
PROJECTION
Smith participated in the Combine, where he showed some decent agility but didn’t run the 40-yard dash. NFL.com gives him a draft grade of 4.9. He later ran the 40 at Michigan’s pro day, but at a 4.83, he didn’t do himself any favors. Most projections I have seen rate him as a 6th or 7th round pick, or maybe an undrafted free agent. I doubt any teams out there see him as a difference-maker, but I think pro teams will value Jim Harbaugh’s thoughts, and he’ll probably put in a good word. My guess is that Smith goes to a team in the 7th round who’s looking for a good pass blocker and 3rd down back.
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Uploading the avatar was easy, even for me, as I am not exactly a whiz at this stuff.
I laughed at the last site generated avatar assigned to me which reminded me of a line drawing of a Frito Bandito. So when you asked us to create our own I went with a sort of version of an Amish bandito/linebacker as opposed to a photo from within the Big House.
The site is getting better all the time, the addition of Mike and umbig11 etc as well as your own efforts are appreciated. Oh, and certainly not to skew the drawing any, but I would gladly donate back the $25 this year or next in a fund drive if needed.
I only belong and post in a couple of Michigan sites, it is fun to be included in our common love of Michigan Football.
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Yeah, the site-generated avatars are fine, I guess, but they’re probably purposefully kind of lame. I’m guessing WordPress wants to encourage publishers to purchase plugins, etc. that allow for a better user experience.
I’m glad you think the site continues to get better. That was my intention when I came over here from Blogger. I felt like the Blogger site had sort of plateaued and there wasn’t much more I could do with it. While I still think Blogger was easier to use in many ways, this allows for a lot more freedom and improvements. I hope to continue to make some changes and additions to bring things more up to speed.
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I will remember him for his effort, never getting into trouble or creating any drama. His talent level is limited, but he went out there and gave it his all on every play and you cannot ask for more. Good luck to him in all his future endeavors.
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Nice write-up. I’ll always remember Smith for his distinctively brutal running style. He was so fun to watch when he was breaking tackles. While he was a totally different player, my reactions to Smith making defenders look silly reminded me of how Barry Sanders did the same (in a very different way). Would have loved to see him behind a vintage UM OL.
The Indiana game was memorable for the snow and for Smith putting the offense on his back. Great performance.
I think if he lands in the right spot Smith could have a solid NFL career. He could also get buried. I don’t really see him as a 3rd down back because he’s not much of a threat as a pass catcher. I think he held that role for Michigan somewhat by default – he was the only blocker they trusted.
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Deveon Smith holds a similar memory for me as Denard Robinson. Both were extremely fun to watch do what they did best; whether it was plowing people over (Deveon) or busting long runs (Denard)
Though they also had major limitations that I knew could hold Michigan back if they were starting. Smith’s lack of speed and Denard’s ability of throw were always present.
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Also, how disappointing that class of running backs we got. Between Issac, Green, and Smith we didn’t get a “bell cow” running back that could take over games. Though I’m sure the poor OL play has to do with that as well.
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I went to gravitar and generated an avatar, but it doesn’t show up on this website. What’s up with that?
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Gravatars are still activated on here. People with Gravatars should still see that, and people can upload avatars. Several people with Gravatars (including me) are still seeing their Gravatar. Are you using the same e-mail with Gravatar that you’re using on Touch the Banner?
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I’ll remember that BYU run. VIOLENT!
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So, I loaded an Avatar back when we moved to WordPress, but it’s not visible on my phone
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i don’t think avatars appear on phones
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