The Alabama Crimson Tide defeated the Ohio State Buckeyes 52-24 to claim the 2021 College Football Playoff National Championship. 

Alabama has won 18 national championships per Sports Illustrated. With this 7th championship Nick Saban moves into first place in terms of championships won by a college football coach. 

Alabama’s “three headed monster” of Mac Jones, Najee Harris, and Heisman winner Devonta Smith propelled the Crimson Tide to the title. 

Quarterback Mac Jones completed 36 of his 45 passing attempts, and threw for a total of 464 yards. Jones also connected for 5 passing touchdowns. This performance goes to showcase why he was a deserving Heisman candidate. Jones is projected to be drafted in the late first round of this year’s NFL draft. 

Running back Najee Harris had 22 carries and 79 rushing yards. Harris found paydirt twice as well. Harris proved to be a major receiving threat also, as he had 7 receptions that went for 79 yards and 1 touchdown. 

Last but not least the man that had the whole sports world buzzing last night: the Heisman Trophy winner Devonta Smith. Smith yet again posted absurd numbers, as he had 12 receptions that went for a total of 215 receiving yards. Smith’s 12 total receptions is a college football title game record, and his 215 receiving yards were the second most in a college football game. That’s not all, as his three receiving touchdowns tied a BCS/CFP title game record set by Southern California’s Steve Smith in 2005 per ESPN. 

Most impressively though is the fact that Smith set all these records just in the first half, as he later left the game due to a dislocated finger. He was not able to return due to the severity of his dislocation.

Smith’s performance sent sports superstars into a Twitter frenzy. Basketball star Lebron James tweeted out “DeVonta Smith is one of the best pure receivers I’ve ever watched! Like a mix between Reggie Wayne and Marvin Harrison. Man he’s good!” Smith also caught the attention of the Texans J.J. Watt.

https://twitter.com/JJWatt/status/1348823970271752193?s=20 

The stats truly illustrated Alabama’s dominant performance.  Time of possession was heavily in Alabama’s favor as they had the ball for 37:26. Alabama rolled up 621 total yards of offense with 464 passing yards passing which was more than Ohio State’s total yards of offense.  Alabama’s offense was not just big plays as they also had 33 first downs. 

DeVonta Smith earned offensive player of the game, and Christian Barmore was the defensive player of the game.