Canes LB Smith will get a shot at playing fullback
After “making a jump” in his play at linebacker, one Hurricane is jumping to the other side of the ball.
Redshirt junior M ike Smith, a reserve linebacker, will get a shot to play full- back this fall, a UM spokes- person confirmed Monday.
The school’s online roster was updated last weekend to list Smith a “FB/LB” rather than a “LB.” His jer- sey number was changed from 57 to 35.
Miami needs a hard-hit- ting, physical player to take over the spot vacated by Marquez Williams, a former Divi- sion II transfer whose lone season in Coral Gables was impressive enough to get him drafted by the Jackson- ville Jaguars.
Smith seems ready for the challenge. “God wouldn’t give me something I can’t handle,” he posted on his Instagram account, with a picture of his new UM profile page.
Smith, listed at 6 feet 1 and 236 pounds, was a three-star recruit out of Miami Northwestern High in 2014. He has played in 19 games as a reserve linebacker, 13 of them last year. In his career, he has made 18 tackles, assisted on one tackle for loss, forced one fumble and intercepted one pass.
The interception came late in last season’s blowout win at Appalachian State. Smith secured a tipped pass and returned it three yards.
In the spring, coaches praised Smith’s progress. Defensive coordinator Manny Diaz named him as one of UM’s most improved returning players on defense, adding he had “really made a jump” in his play at middle linebacker.
Last year, Smith was the backup to true freshman Shaq Quarterman, one of three sophomores expected to start at the line- backer spots (Zach McCloud, Michael Pinckney were the others). If Smith becomes a full-time fullback, his line- backer reps could go to freshman Bradley Jennings, who enrolled early. Coaches hope for greater contributions from redshirt junior Darrion Owens and redshirt sopho- more Jamie Gordinier, both of whom are coming off knee injuries.
Converting linebackers to fullbacks is common, given the physical requirements of the position. In recent seasons, the Hurricanes used converted lineback- ers Gage Batten and Walter Tucker with mild success. Conversely, one of the best Miami linebackers — Jon Beason, a three-time NFL Pro Bowler — began his career as a fullback.