Despite log jam at QB, Smith is too legit to sit
Staff looks for ways to utilize Cougars’ talented ‘X’ factor
Stop us if you’ve heard this before: the University of Houston has a dynamic, young offensive talent, his natural position quarterback is presently occupied, and the coaching staff is in the laboratory in search of ways to get him the ball.
Like Greg Ward Jr. and D’Eriq King before him, Bryson Smith enters this season as the Cougars’ ‘X’ factor. Don’t worry: UH does not plan to keep one of the team’s most explosive players bottled up on the sideline.
“We’ll be able to have some things for him,” offensive coordinator Kendal Briles said. “It’s no secret: if you have a guy that’s
really talented, then you find ways to get him the ball. He’s really that guy.”
Back in 2014, the Cougars and former coach Tony Levine took forever to figure out how to use Ward, moving him from backup quarterback to receiver and kick returner and finally starting quarterback, where he eventually became one of the most decorated players in school history.
A knee injury slowed King’s progress early last season, causing the Cougars to go through a quarterback carousel and wait a few games too long in what ended up a seven-win season.
With a logjam at quarterback this season, Smith will have to wait for his shot at quarterback and instead will be used in a variety of roles.
Time will tell since all of UH’s practices are closed to the media, including both scrimmages that were held in preseason camp. The Cougars have offered barely a peek behind the veil of what is being described as an up-tempo, spread offense. Before camp, second-year coach Major Applewhite acknowledged there will be specific packages that utilize Smith at quarterback and wide receiver.
The path to use Smith mostly at receiver this season came into focus in the offseason when the Cougars added backup quarterback Quinten Dormady, a graduate transfer from Tennessee.
Beyond this year, it remains unclear what Smith’s future holds at quarterback, with King still owning another year of eligibility, freshman Clayton Tune expected to be the No. 3 this season and then there’s the arrival of highly touted prospect Levi Williams of Smithson Valley as part of the 2019 class.
For Smith, his redshirt season a year ago included taking a course in Patience 101.
“Last year really showed me how to be patient and just stay focused,” Smith said. “You never know when your time will come.”
As a redshirt, Smith used the time as a sponge, soaking up as much of everything possible in the meeting room and practice field. He admits sitting out the season was difficult at times after a prep career that included more than 5,700 passing yards, 3,100 rushing yards and 96 combined touchdowns as the heir to, coincidentally, Ward at Tyler John Tyler.
Now Smith enters the season with the likelihood he will be used in multiple roles, including as a punt returner.
“Last year I was going in and really didn’t have a role,” Smith said. “I was new, but now I feel like I’m contributing more to the team with the packages I’m a part of.”
Smith’s biggest impact is expected at receiver, where the Cougars have numbers but little proven experience.
“That guy can’t sit the sideline,” receivers coach Kenny Guiton said. “He needs the ball in his hands. Some kind of way we’ll get (the ball) in his hands. You can see he’s a natural out there. He gets a play, starts running around and you can just tell that this guy has something about him. He’s explosive and he’ll make some big things happen.”
In case he wants to know what to expect, Smith has Ward on speed dial and King in the huddle.
“Just trust the process,” Smith said. “All it really is.”