Career continues on upward path for LaTech’s Smith
by Eric Loomis
For D’Anthony Smith, college football started with a bang. Smith intercepted a pass on his second career play for the Bulldogs of Louisiana Tech, and he’s been rolling ever since.
Smith’s college career started in 2006, seeing action in all 13 games and starting eight of those as a freshman. Last season, Smith started 11 games, missing one due to injury, and finished with 42 tackles, 6.5 tackles for a loss and three sacks. Coming into 2008, Smith is looking for ways to improve even further.
“My pass rushing skills, “said the 6-3 Smith when asked what he worked on the most this offseason. While he knows there are things to improve on, Smith’s self-described best assets of determination and tenacity will go a long way in helping him achieve his goals.
Smith, a team-first type of player for Louisiana Tech, knows what he and his team want to accomplish this upcoming season.
“We want to go for that WAC championship and obviously a bowl game with it” he said.
Smith also listed off games he has circled on his calender as ones he is looking forward to.
“The opener with Mississippi State, our rivalry game with Fresno and the last game of the season against Nevada,” the junior said.
Smith said he was too focused on the upcoming season opener with Mississippi State to think of any goals he may have this season in terms of his own personal stats, but there is one personal accolade he is letting himself think about.
“I want to win the Nagurski Award,” Smith said as his voice lit up thinking about the prospects of taking home such an honor.
Just being named to the watch list is something that obviously means a lot to him.
“Being from a smaller school, you know, it shows that I can get recognized for my hard work,” He said.
While the prospects of playing beyond college may be a few years off for the the 300-pound defensive tackle from Pickering High School, Smith already knows which NFL player he wants to be like. Actually, he wants to be like three.
“Super Mario(Williams)’s pass rushing ability, Glenn Dorsey’s run defense and Shawne Merriman’s tenacity,” said Smith, who has reported 40 times ranging from 4.8 to 5.0. Certainly some lofty aspirations, but something to shoot for for a young man who has the potential to be a three-year starter and four-year letter winner when his time in college is done.
All it may take is a little determination and hard work.