Smith embraces role as a ‘secret weapon’
Bryson Smith stood in the pocket and at the last second, as he was about to take a hit, launched a 50yard touchdown pass to Jeremy Singleton against Cincinnati.
It was exactly the type of moment many, including Smith, envisioned when the heralded high school quarterback arrived on campus.
A lot has changed in three years. Recruited by former UH coach Tom Herman, Smith has played for two coaching staffs, from Major Applewhite to Dana Holgorsen. He’s also come to the realization that his future is no longer at quarterback.
“I’m a receiver now,” Smith said
Monday as the Cougars continued preparation for Thursday’s showdown with No. 16 SMU at TDECU Stadium. “I’ve accepted it. I just love being on the field.”
Regarded as one of the Cougars’ top playmakers, Smith has dabbled in different roles — at receiver, on punt returns and, for the last two games, out of the wildcat formation. Rather than his normal spot on the outside, Smith is lined up at
quarterback in the shotgun and takes the direct snap. From there, Smith can run or pass, which keeps defenses guessing.
“Just put me out there on the field keeping the defenses off-balance,” Smith said. “Most defenses don’t know I can throw. I’m just a secret weapon.”
It’s a role conceived out of necessity with starting quarterback Clayton Tune limited the last three weeks with a pulled hamstring. In Tune’s absence, the Cougars started Logan Holgorsen at quarterback against UConn and picked spots to use Smith in the wildcat. On Saturday, Smith hooked up again with Singleton for a 45-yard completion to set up a field goal on the opening drive and scored on a 2-yard run in the closing minutes to seal the 24-17 win over UConn.
“He’s really natural at throwing deep balls,” Holgorsen said. “We’ll continue to do stuff with him. That’s probably going to hinder his development at receiver, but obviously right now we’re more interested in first downs and touchdowns than we are getting him just 100 percent going on being a wide receiver.”
In another life, Smith could see himself playing college quarterback. He was regarded as Greg Ward Jr. 2.0, a flattering comparison to one of the most successful quarterbacks in school history. Both had productive quarterback careers at Tyler John Tyler, have dual-threat styles and are similar in size.
And like early in Ward’s career, UH has found different ways to use Smith. He is the only player in the Football Bowl Subdivision with a passing, rushing and special teams touchdown this season.
“Just being a playmaker,” said Smith, who had a 60-yard punt return for a touchdown against North Texas. “I feel like I can play a lot of positions. When you’re on the field and your number is called, like coach says, just make plays.”
Holgorsen has been adamant that Smith’s future is at receiver. He’s added that Smith’s quiet nature is one of the factors he’s not being considered full-time at quarterback.
“He’s a very shy person,” Holgorsen said. “I’m asked a lot, ‘Why don’t you play him at quarterback all the time?’ He can’t communicate like you need to as a quarterback. That’s not anything against him, that’s just not what his skill set is.”
Said Smith: “I can be more vocal. I’ve just always been a quiet person, a quiet individual.”
In his second season at receiver, Smith said he continues to evolve at the position. He lists route running, blocking, patience and the “little things” as areas he has made the most progress.
“I’m still growing and learning, but I’m more comfortable this year,” he said.
As for his cameos at quarterback, Smith realizes that nothing has changed.
He is a receiver.
“I was kind of already heading to that receiver mentality,” Smith said. “I don’t see my days as being a quarterback right now leading up to something.”