As Bob Smith watches this year's Ultimus Bowl, he will be in a different position than years prior. Next year, he will be in the same league as the players he sees on his TV. With the draft fast approaching, Smith prepares to hopefully join his new team in the NSFL. It's a position few expected him to be in just 3 years ago.
The Paris, Texas native grew up on a ranch, where he first began to develop the work ethic that would come to define him. When he reached high school, he tried out for the football team based on his love for the game he had seen on his TV. Although he had never played the game before, his above-average size, as well as his school's limited supply of edge rushers, enabled him to make the team. Over the next four years he dominated local competition, learning the nuances of the game as he developed. His combination of speed, agility, and strength were not enough to get him any D1 offers, however, and he decided to attend Appalachian State, his father's alma mater, and try to make the team as a walk on. He managed to become the backup left defensive end, behind sophomore James Jones. Little did he know, however, his career was about to change.
Appalachian State's third game of the year was away against Penn State, a matchup which projected to be a blowout. In the first quarter, it was. Penn State held a 17-0 lead at the start of the second quarter. Just before half, however, James Jones went down with an apparent knee injury. It turned out to be a torn ACL that would cost him his season, and eventually his starting job. Bob Smith, on the other hand, now came into the game. His performance in the second half would put him in the national spotlight. 4 sacks and two forced fumbles killed Penn State's air attack, which had been carrying their offence. Appalachian State finally was able to move the ball on offence, too, finally putting up points thanks to the field position provided by Smith's forced fumbles. With Appalachian State up 28-24, Penn State would have one final play in the fourth quarter to avoid the upset. As the ball was snapped, the Penn State receivers dashed downfield into a hail mary. Before quarterback Aaron Brooks could get the throw off cleanly, however, he was hit by the freshman Bob Smith, causing the pass to come up well short and Appalachian State to knock off the fifth-ranked team in the country. After the game, he was given a full ride scholarship by head coach Antonio Jeffery in front of his teammates.
In the remainder of Smith's freshman season, he totalled 10 sacks and another 2 forced fumbles after earning the starting job due to his performance at Penn State. In sophomore year, he had a knee injury, which would cause him to miss the entire season. In his junior year, however, he was back, with 14 sacks, three forced fumbles, and an interception. Although he could have returned for another year at Appalachian State to improve his draft stock, he decided to declare for the draft so as to play it safe.
This upcoming draft, Bob Smith could be one of the more interesting prospects, and one which could pay off big time for a team which potentially picks him.
The Paris, Texas native grew up on a ranch, where he first began to develop the work ethic that would come to define him. When he reached high school, he tried out for the football team based on his love for the game he had seen on his TV. Although he had never played the game before, his above-average size, as well as his school's limited supply of edge rushers, enabled him to make the team. Over the next four years he dominated local competition, learning the nuances of the game as he developed. His combination of speed, agility, and strength were not enough to get him any D1 offers, however, and he decided to attend Appalachian State, his father's alma mater, and try to make the team as a walk on. He managed to become the backup left defensive end, behind sophomore James Jones. Little did he know, however, his career was about to change.
Appalachian State's third game of the year was away against Penn State, a matchup which projected to be a blowout. In the first quarter, it was. Penn State held a 17-0 lead at the start of the second quarter. Just before half, however, James Jones went down with an apparent knee injury. It turned out to be a torn ACL that would cost him his season, and eventually his starting job. Bob Smith, on the other hand, now came into the game. His performance in the second half would put him in the national spotlight. 4 sacks and two forced fumbles killed Penn State's air attack, which had been carrying their offence. Appalachian State finally was able to move the ball on offence, too, finally putting up points thanks to the field position provided by Smith's forced fumbles. With Appalachian State up 28-24, Penn State would have one final play in the fourth quarter to avoid the upset. As the ball was snapped, the Penn State receivers dashed downfield into a hail mary. Before quarterback Aaron Brooks could get the throw off cleanly, however, he was hit by the freshman Bob Smith, causing the pass to come up well short and Appalachian State to knock off the fifth-ranked team in the country. After the game, he was given a full ride scholarship by head coach Antonio Jeffery in front of his teammates.
In the remainder of Smith's freshman season, he totalled 10 sacks and another 2 forced fumbles after earning the starting job due to his performance at Penn State. In sophomore year, he had a knee injury, which would cause him to miss the entire season. In his junior year, however, he was back, with 14 sacks, three forced fumbles, and an interception. Although he could have returned for another year at Appalachian State to improve his draft stock, he decided to declare for the draft so as to play it safe.
This upcoming draft, Bob Smith could be one of the more interesting prospects, and one which could pay off big time for a team which potentially picks him.