OHIO STATE FOOTBALL
Smith earns degree with year still to play
Friday, June 09, 2006
Tim May
THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH
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Ohio State will have a graduate at quarterback this fall, after Troy Smith receives his diploma Sunday.
Smith, who completed his fourth year at OSU, is a communications major.
He is expected to be one of 11 current or former football players to graduate, including recent NFL first-round draft picks Bobby Carpenter and Nick Mangold and possibly A.J. Hawk. The school won’t release the official list until today, an athletics department spokesman said.
It was Smith’s aim to finish in four years, he said earlier this spring.
"That’s huge. It’s such a relief and such a weight off anyone’s shoulders," he said. "I think just hard work (made it possible), man, just staying the course and knowing that you have to finish school. That’s always a plus."
Last year, Southern California quarterback Matt Leinart played the season after graduating and drew attention for taking a dance class in the fall.
"I think I’m going for another bachelor’s (degree). I haven’t decided yet," he said.
Speaking of weight
Insiders say Eric Lichter is a prime candidate to gain one of the two strength and conditioning jobs now open on the OSU football staff.
Lichter is one of the cofounders of the Speed Strength Systems Inc. of Euclid, which has gained fame preparing athletes for pro drafts, most recently helping prep former Buckeyes Donte Whitner, Rob Sims, Anthony Schlegel and Nate Salley for the NFL. He also worked in the past with current Buckeye Ted Ginn Jr., among others.
Five-year strength and conditioning coach Allan Johnson resigned, effective Aug. 30, to pursue other opportunities. His top assistant, Bernardo Amerson, followed suit, but speed coach Butch Reynolds remains.
Ken Gordon contributed to this report .
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