Mike Smith handling dual roles

CORAL GABLES — Miami Hurricanes junior Mike Smith refuses to consider practicing on both sides of the ball as a burden.

The 6-foot-1, 225-pound Smith has gotten reps at linebacker and fullback during the preseason.

“It’s the same,” Smith said. “Just coming to practice every day and just mentally be prepared for it.”

Smith is playing offense to provide depth, but the coaching staff envisions him mostly being used as a defender. Last season he had 11 tackles and an interception, appearing in 13 games. This fall, Smith has studied the offensive playbook, but most reps have been on the defensive side.

“Obviously, Mike is a very physical football player,” offensive coordinator Thomas Brown said. “We need him on defense as well. I’m not sure how much we’ll use him at fullback but, again, the more guys we have at multiple spots the better we’ll be.”

Smith could become a viable backup linebacker option, especially considering he’s fully adjusted after playing defensive end in high school. “I feel more equipped, I feel more confident,” Smith said. Last Friday standout receiver Ahmmon Richards provided a scare when he fell on his head after making a leaping catch. He left the practice field and missed the next practice but isn’t experiencing any lingering effects. “I just went up,” Richards said. “The ball was kind of high. I went up and tried to make the play.”

Next game: Bethune-Cookman vs. Miami, Sept. 2, 12:30 p.m., ACC Regional Sports Network