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Antonio Smith emerges a star
By JON SPENCER
For The Marion Star
COLUMBUS - Antonio Smith was watching game film Tuesday morning when he learned he was a semifinalist for the Thorpe Award, presented to the nation's top defensive back.
It was no big surprise to Ohio State defensive tackle David Patterson - that his teammate was watching film before class or that the fifth-year senior is in contention for national acclaim.
"He just works so hard," Patterson said. "I remember when I first got here. Seeing him from then to now, it's just amazing and a testament to his work ethic.
"When it's not looking too good, guys might give up or want to transfer. But he kept working hard and persisted. Good things happen to good people."
It took four years for Smith to earn a scholarship, so no one could have predicted he would become a starter for the nation's No. 1 team, a major cog on the nation's No. 1 scoring defense and a possible post-season honoree.
Although the Buckeyes have had six defensive backs taken in the first round of the NFL draft since 1997, Antoine Winfield is OSU's only Thorpe winner, receiving the honor in 1998.
Smith, who grew up in the shadows of Ohio Stadium, has never met Winfield, but knows all about him.
"Tough, physical player," he said.
That's a good way of describing Smith, as well. A special teams standout before this season, Smith has brought that wedge-busting mentality to the cornerback position. He ranks second to middle linebacker James Laurinatis in tackles with 52 and leads everyone in the secondary with 8 tackles for loss. He has two interceptions, one of which he returned for a touchdown, and his 11 solo hits against Indiana is a single-game high by a Buckeye this season.
"If you had told me two years ago that Antonio Smith would be starting, I'd have said, 'Oh, boy, I respect your football intellect, but I can't agree,' " coach Jim Tressel said. "If you'd have told me in August, I'd have said, you know, I'm not sure. But he believed he could play to that level, and that's what's most important.
"That's just the way he is. He's sure he will have that mechanical engineering degree, even if it means studying until 4 in the morning. That's the kind of visualization he has. The fact he's a finalist for the Thorpe Award is a testament to his production, because I'm sure he wasn't on anyone's watch list, but he produced, and obviously someone has noticed."
It was a friend outside the team who gave Smith the good news Tuesday.
"I told him to stop playing," Smith said, grinning. "He said he heard it on the radio. I just thank God for blessing me and putting me in this position."
The 10-0 Buckeyes have a chance to not only become the first team in school history to go wire-to-wire No. 1 but also the most decorated in terms of individual honors.
Quarterback Troy Smith is in a two-horse race with Notre Dame quarterback Brady Quinn for the Heisman Trophy and is also a semifinalist for the Maxwell Award (college football player of the year) and finalist for the Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award.
Defensive tackle Quinn Pitcock was named Tuesday as one of four finalists for the Lombardi Award and Laurinaitis will find out today if he's one of three finalists for the Butkus Award, given to the nation's top linebacker.
In 1995, the Buckeyes boasted Heisman winner Eddie George, Lombardi winner Orlando Pace and Biletnikoff Award winner Terry Glenn. All three joined defensive end Mike Vrabel as first-team All-Americans. That team had an 11-0 start ruined by losses at Michigan and in the Citrus Bowl to Tennessee.
The odds of a first-year starter like Antonio Smith beating out 10 others for the Thorpe seem long, but no more improbable than his ascension with the Buckeyes.
"We're always talking about getting what your work deserves, being a good person and doing the little things right," Patterson said. "He's done all of the above.
"He's always been a good player, but when you have guys like Chris Gamble, Dustin Fox and Ashton Youboty (in the backfield), it's hard to get a shot. I compare (Smith) to Will Allen. It took him three or four years to get a shot and then he became an All-American. When he got a chance to shine, he took it."
