ASU #9D.J. Smith
LB
6-1 215
So.
Charlotte, N.C. (Independence)
One of the best young linebackers in the nation ... despite making just nine starts as a true freshman, earned honorable-mention all-America recognition from The Sports Network ... is expected to continue to man the weakside linebacker position that he took over midway through last season ... possesses great speed, strength and a nose for the ball.
2007: Turned in a spectacular season as a true freshman ... finished second on the squad and fourth in the SoCon with 121 total tackles (47 solo), despite not winning the starting position at weakside linebacker from incumbent starter Cam Speer until the seventh game of the season ... tackles were the most by an ASU freshman since Dexter Coakley recorded 159 in 1993 ... notched double-digit tackles in 5-of-9 starts ... did not record less than seven tackles in any of his nine starts ... named November’s SoCon Defensive Player of the Month after leading ASU in tackles (49), interceptions (2) and pass break-ups (3) in four game during the month ... in just his second-career game, came off the bench to lead all players with 12 tackles versus Lenoir-Rhyne ... in his third start, turned in the best performance by an ASU freshman linebacker in 14 years with 16 tackles (13 solo) and returned his first-career interception 23 yards for a touchdown early in the ballgame to help lead ASU to a crucial 45-24 victory at The Citadel ... 16 tackles were the most in a single-game by an ASU frosh since Coakley’s 21 against The Citadel in ‘93 ... added one-and-a-half tackles for loss against The Citadel and matched that total the following week against archrival Western Carolina ... also intercepted a pass against WCU ... earned SoCon Defensive Player of the Week recognition after tallying a game-high 14 tackles and breaking up two passes in regular-season finale versus Chattanooga ... registered 12 tackles and broke up a pass in each of ASU’s first two postseason victories over James Madison and Eastern Washington ... broke up two passes versus Richmond in national semifinals ... capped impressive freshman campaign with 10 tackles in national championship game versus Delaware ... in all, led ASU in tackles six times, including 3-of-4 postseason games (Lenoir-Rhyne, The Citadel, Chattanooga, Eastern Washington, Richmond, Delaware) ... tied for third on squad with 11 pass break-ups.
High School: A three-year starter and four-year letterwinnner at Charlotte Independence, which went undefeated and won four-straight 4-A state championships during Smith’s prep career ... ranked second on the team in tackles as a senior, playing both middle and outside linebacker ... named team MVP in ‘06 ... a two-time all-state and three-time all-conference selection ... also lettered in basketball ... coached by Tom Knotts.
Personal: Full name is Darryl Devon Smith Jr. ... goes by D.J. ... born Feb. 24, 1989 (19 years old) ... son of Pamela Rice ... major is undecided.
