Ben van Ooyen
Guest
Senior Spotlight – Corey Smith
Ben van Ooyen via our good friends at Buckeye Battle Cry
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here
This week’s senior spotlight takes us to #Zone6, where we will talk about the career at Ohio State for wide receiver Corey Smith. Smith is in his 4th season as a member of the Buckeye football team, however injuries have hampered his playing time to this point. He was able to return this season for his senior season because of a medical redshirt earned in the 2015 season.
Corey Smith played his high school ball in Akron at Buchtel High School before heading to the community college route with Grand Rapids C.C. for the 2011 season. He finished the season with 28 catches for 438 yards and two touchdowns. That team went 10-0, and then disbanded the following season, leaving Smith without a place to play ball. Smith traveled south for his next stop, and landed at East Mississippi Community College in Scooba, Mississippi. He had a breakout year catching 51 balls for 733 yards and nine touchdowns that season, leading his team to an 8-2 record. By then, Smith was ready to head to an FBS school and prove he had what it took to play on the big stage. He was the #9 overall junior college prospect in the class of 2013, and the #3 receiver. He initially visited and committed to Mississippi State back in December of 2012, but then the Buckeyes came calling for his services. He ended up visiting Columbus in January of 2013 and then shortly after decommited from Mississippi State and pledging to his home state Buckeyes.
Smith didn’t see the field in his first season at Ohio State, getting a redshirt for his junior year. He returned in 2014 and caught 20 passes for 255 yards but didn’t find the endzone. However, in a story by the Dispatch in May, it was brought to light that Smith almost quit the team during Michigan State Week of that season.
“During Michigan State week in 2014, he reached the breaking point. He walked off the practice field, intent on quitting. That night, Zach Smith went to his apartment and beseeched him to give it another chance.”
He returned to the team and helped them take home the National Championship playing a pivotal role on special teams.
His 2015 season started off with him catching five passes for 62 yards in the Buckeyes first four games, but then broke his leg in a game against Indiana ending his season early. It was unsure if he would be granted an extra year of eligibility because of the games played, but the NCAA ruled in his favor and he returned to the team for the 2016 season. He has been hampered by an arm injury this season, and has it in a cast which is preventing him from having an impact in his senior season.
Smith is the father to five kids, ranging from the age of 7 months to six years old and is planning on getting married next year. He graduated with a degree in African American and African Studies in May after a rough final semester which saw him failing two classes before midterms.
The post Senior Spotlight – Corey Smith appeared first on The Buckeye Battle Cry: Ohio State News and Commentary.
Continue reading...
Ben van Ooyen via our good friends at Buckeye Battle Cry
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here
This week’s senior spotlight takes us to #Zone6, where we will talk about the career at Ohio State for wide receiver Corey Smith. Smith is in his 4th season as a member of the Buckeye football team, however injuries have hampered his playing time to this point. He was able to return this season for his senior season because of a medical redshirt earned in the 2015 season.
Corey Smith played his high school ball in Akron at Buchtel High School before heading to the community college route with Grand Rapids C.C. for the 2011 season. He finished the season with 28 catches for 438 yards and two touchdowns. That team went 10-0, and then disbanded the following season, leaving Smith without a place to play ball. Smith traveled south for his next stop, and landed at East Mississippi Community College in Scooba, Mississippi. He had a breakout year catching 51 balls for 733 yards and nine touchdowns that season, leading his team to an 8-2 record. By then, Smith was ready to head to an FBS school and prove he had what it took to play on the big stage. He was the #9 overall junior college prospect in the class of 2013, and the #3 receiver. He initially visited and committed to Mississippi State back in December of 2012, but then the Buckeyes came calling for his services. He ended up visiting Columbus in January of 2013 and then shortly after decommited from Mississippi State and pledging to his home state Buckeyes.
Smith didn’t see the field in his first season at Ohio State, getting a redshirt for his junior year. He returned in 2014 and caught 20 passes for 255 yards but didn’t find the endzone. However, in a story by the Dispatch in May, it was brought to light that Smith almost quit the team during Michigan State Week of that season.
“During Michigan State week in 2014, he reached the breaking point. He walked off the practice field, intent on quitting. That night, Zach Smith went to his apartment and beseeched him to give it another chance.”
He returned to the team and helped them take home the National Championship playing a pivotal role on special teams.
His 2015 season started off with him catching five passes for 62 yards in the Buckeyes first four games, but then broke his leg in a game against Indiana ending his season early. It was unsure if he would be granted an extra year of eligibility because of the games played, but the NCAA ruled in his favor and he returned to the team for the 2016 season. He has been hampered by an arm injury this season, and has it in a cast which is preventing him from having an impact in his senior season.
Smith is the father to five kids, ranging from the age of 7 months to six years old and is planning on getting married next year. He graduated with a degree in African American and African Studies in May after a rough final semester which saw him failing two classes before midterms.
The post Senior Spotlight – Corey Smith appeared first on The Buckeye Battle Cry: Ohio State News and Commentary.
Continue reading...