There are a lot of great running backs in the country – Darren McFadden of Arkansas, West Virginia’s Steve Slaton, Michigan’s Michael Hart and Ray Rice of Rutgers. But none of them leads the nation in rushing average at 183 yards per game.
That honor belongs to Kevin Smith of Central Florida (1-1), the starting back on the Post’s All-Underpublicized team last season. Smith, who has rushed for 366 yards in two games, chewed up the Wolfpack for 217 in Raleigh, N.C., and then gashed Texas for 149 in a 35-32 loss this past Saturday.
Despite playing his high school ball in the hotbed of south Florida, none of the Sunshine State powers – Florida, Miami or FSU – recruited Smith. Miami probably would have been his choice because of the respect he has for former ‘Canes stars Willis McGahee and Frank Gore.
Because of a coaching change in his senior season, Smith played safety, not running back. So when Central Florida offered a scholarship and a chance to play running back, Smith signed on. He’s on a mission to get the school that believed in him some recognition.
“I’m not as flashy as some other backs,” said Smith, who’s averaging 5.9 yards per carry. “I may not get 25 but I’ll get you 6 every time. Two years ago most people didn’t know Ray Rice because Rutgers wasn’t winning. They started winning and people realized he’s a great back. All we have to do is win and people will realize there are a lot of good players on this team, not just me.”
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West Virginia offensive lineman Greg Isdaner had several scholarship offers coming out of high school – Yale, Harvard and Georgetown all offered. So did West Virginia, one of the few Division I-A schools that saw potential in the tall, skinny lineman.
His parents wanted him to take one of the Ivy League offers. But Isdaner wanted to prove he could play top-tier football. The disagreement with his parents got so heated he moved out of the house for a while and lived with the high school team equipment manager.
Isdaner signed with West Virginia where he’s matured into a 6-foot-4, 315-pound lead dog for Slaton and Noel Devine. His folks have come around.
“It took a little patience on both of our parts but things are great now,” Isdaner said. “If I hadn’t given big-time football a chance, it would have been the biggest regret of my life.”
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Equal time: There are a lot of great quarterbacks in the country – Louisville’s Brian Brohm, Matt Ryan of Boston College and Kentucky’s Andre Woodson. The name you don’t hear is Missouri’s Chase Daniel. Daniel has thrown 10 touchdowns and two interceptions for the undefeated Tigers.
At an even 6-0, you would think Daniel would be a big Drew Brees fan. But his guy is Brett Favre. “He’s always put the team before himself,” Daniel said. “He cares more about his teammates and winning than any record he’s set. He treats his team like a family.”
Daniel has done the same thing. Missouri was the first school to offer him a scholarship and he accepted before taking an official visit. When Texas tried to get in late, Daniel stood by his commitment to the Tigers.
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Notre Dame won’t release quarterback Demetrius Jones from his scholarship because of the way he handled his leaving the Irish in the lurch and enrolling at Northern Illinois. How petty can the Irish get? Jones should have handled the situation better but he acted like a teenager. Now, so has Notre Dame.