Team confident Smith can take Reynolds’ place
Niumatalolo: New QB has ‘waited his turn,’ ready to take over from legend
It was no surprise when the first question asked of coach Ken Niumatalolo during Navy’s football media day Saturday involved replacing Keenan Reynolds.
Reynolds, the only four-year starting quarterback in program history, set a slew of school and NCAA records during his decorated career. He was so good he became the first Navy player to have his jersey retired while he was still a midshipman at the academy.
Senior Tago Smith has the unenviable task of following in the footsteps of a legend. Only John Cartwright, who succeeded Hall of Famer Roger Staubach as Navy’s starting quarterback, would understand what Smith is going through.
“Obviously, Keenan was a really good football player, a big part of our program. But we’re excited about Tago,” Niumatalolo said in response to that initial question. “I think people who have seen Tago play over the last couple years recognize that he’s a really good football player. He’s waited his turn and played behind a really good quarterback.”
Navy normally selects two players from the offense and two from the defense to join Niumatalolo on the podium for Media Day. TV: Radio: Offensive captain Toneo Gully and thirdyear starting wide receiver Jamir Tillman were the obvious choices to represent the offense. However, Smith was added to the lineup because the sports information department recognized that reporters would want to talk to him.
Smith was asked right off the bat whether he has already grown weary of being asked about taking over for Reynolds.
“No, I’m not sick of it. It’s expected. [Reynolds] had so much success here,” Smith said. “I don’t think it’ll be that hard of a transition.”
Tillman, Navy’s leading receiver each of the past two seasons, was asked whether too much is being made of Smith replacing Reynolds under center. Reynolds is in training camp with the Ravens, attempting to make the NFL as a slot receiver and returner after being drafted in the sixth round.
“It’s not overblown. Keenan did great things and deserves all respect,” Tillman said. “Tago would never say this, but if I were him I would be a little tired of hearing about Keenan.”
Smith, from Fayetteville, Ga., has played in 18 games with two starts during his career. In 2014, when Reynolds could not go against Texas State because of a knee injury, Smith got the call and excelled, rushing for 117 yards and two touchdowns and passing for an additional 85 yards and two scores.
Reynolds was healthy throughout the 2015 season, so Smith mostly received time toward the end of games that had already been decided.
“What makes me feel good is that Tago is 2-0 as a starter,” offensive coordinator Jasper said. “I always go back to the fact we two-platoon in practice. The starter and the backup get the same amount of reps.”
Smith would be the first to say he learned quite a bit from Reynolds over the previous three seasons.
“Just his preparation. Watching him in the film room, watching him on the practice field, watching his approach on gameday,” Smith said.
Now it’s time to put those lessons to good use, beginning with the Sept. 3 season opener at home against Fordham. “Honestly, I just worry about what I can control. … It’s just a matter of doing what I need to do and executing,” Smith said.
And yet, everyone knows the questions will remain until Smith begins to regularly lead Navy to victory. Several national publications have ranked the Midshipmen in the middle of the pack within the 127-school Football Bowl Subdivision precisely because they lost Reynolds and 10 other starters on offense.
“I think Tago understands. You can see it in his eyes. People are doubting us as an offense and him as a player. He’s excited to prove everyone wrong,” Jasper said.
Smith is quiet by nature and concedes that cannot continue this season. Reynolds was a take-charge type in the huddle, and Smith must now be the same.
“Definitely being a more vocal leader with the guys is important. I’ve never been very talkative. That was always Keenan’s role,” Smith said. “Now that I’m that guy, I need to have more of a voice.”