DeVonta Smith had spent most of his collegiate career under the watchful eyes of Nick Saban before moving to Notre Dame. In doing so, he’s now been part of two powerhouses whose identities couldn’t be more different. Alabama thrives on relentless competition, while the Irish are defined by a deep sense of brotherhood. Naturally, when Smith arrived at South Bend, he faced culture shock.

After Saban left, the DB spent some time at Tuscaloosa and entered the transfer portal in December 2024. Within 48 hours, he gave his commitment to Marcus Freeman’s Irish. Entering a new environment, Smith faced significant culture shock. When asked about what differences he felt, he pointed to the locker room chemistry.

“Definitely different than where I was before. Definitely a big culture shock,” he sai

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