Freshman wide receiver provides a comedic breath of fresh air for his coaches and teammates
With a bright smile and long, flowing dreadlocks, Josh Smith brings a lot more than his great receiving skills to the CU football team.
His outgoing and fun-loving personality makes him who he is, both on and off the football field.
Smith created a buzz during summer workouts, impressing coaches with his breakaway speed and pass catching ability. Smith was forced to sit out the Buffs’ first two games after running into a wall at Folsom Field during a scrimmage, leaving him with a lacerated kidney.
The 6-foot-tall, 180-pound true freshman has hauled in nine catches for 220 yards in four games since then, including 103 yards last week against Baylor.
Statistics aside, it is Smith’s character that keeps his fellow teammates and coaches talking about him.
“He’s got a lot of personality,” said passing game coordinator Eric Kiesau. “He’s definitely a character, but it helps the other receivers. They feed off it.”
Teammates said Smith’s confidence helps him see past the competition and simply play the game.
“His personality helps him as a player. His first start against Florida State, he didn’t care who they were. He just went out and played,” Kiesau said.
With his recent success, Smith is starting to become a fan favorite. Even so, he remains humble and focused on the game.
“I take stuff seriously, but I also have fun. I always try to keep a positive vibe. It just makes football easier for me,” Smith said. “You go out and you be you. I’m just trying to be center grounded and stay focused every game.”
Senior wide receiver Dusty Sprague said he and his counterparts welcome the spark Smith brings to the team.
“He’s a very funny kid, always has something to say, and always is joking around. But he also always has fun,” Sprague said.
Smith said “it’s always comedy” with his fellow freshman wide-outs.
“The older guys, they’re funny as well. That just makes things a lot easier for me, just to know that it’s not always serious,” Smith said.
Smith’s nephew, Darrell Scott, is the nation’s number one running back coming out of high school. Along with coaches, Smith is doing all he can to make the team all in the family.
“He’s a real undecided cat, just trying to figure out where he’s going to end up,” Smith said.
Whether or not Scott follows his uncle to Boulder remains to be seen.
Contact Campus Press Staff Writer Derek Schimmel at derek.schimmel@thecampuspress.com
