Article: MNW sack master Smith transitioning to LB

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Peter Ariz

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Miami Northwestern DE/OLB Michael Smith was second in Dade County last season with 18 sacks. The pass-rushing specialist reflected on his season performance.

"I really wasn't expecting it to happen, but it just did through hard work and training on my technique in the summer. Right now, I'm just trying to bulk up and gain a lot of weight to make my hit power stronger. I'm in the 205-210 range right now," said Smith.

Smith played almost primarily with his hand on the ground last season as a defensive end, which was extremely successful for him and his team. Despite this success, Smith might have a completely new role for his senior season.

"I'm trying to improve on being a middle linebacker and improve my coverage skills because a lot of schools would be taking a gamble on a guy that can only put his hand in the dirt and not drop back into coverage. I feel it will come naturally to me, though."

How does Smith plan on making the transition?

"I feel like I will make that adjustment with the strong coaching of Coach Luke (Campbell). He's teaching me all of the techniques of being a linebacker because when I go to the next level that's basically the position I will play."

One of the reasons Smith noted for the change was that it could help with his recruitment. He already holds offers from the likes of Clemson, Louisville, West Virginia, South Florida, and Marshall. There's one school in particular though, that he's hoping the position switch could help his status with.

"UM may come after me more because they wanted to see if I could play the linebacker position sometimes because they didn't want me with my hand in the dirt all the time because I'm undersized anyways. They just want to see if I can handle the linebacker position."

Miami has always been a program that Smith has thought highly of.

"I've always liked the Hurricanes and that's always been the childhood favorite since I was young. I've always cared about them and wanted to be a 'Cane because I see myself wearing the orange and green. Through the course of the years, I've seen the program go through these allegations, but I see it going in the right direction with Al Golden. I'm hoping to get an offer."

The Northwestern product was on hand for the basketball team's blowout victory over Duke back in January.

"The last time I went was for junior day when they played Duke. It showed me that Miami has a lot of love for the football players and they really care about the athletes and athletic program. I was with Coach Micheal Barrow and I was getting a cool vibe from him. Obviously he went to the NFL, so he knows how he could get me to the next level."

It's obvious Smith has love for the 'Canes, but which school is after him the hardest at this point?

"The school recruiting me the hardest is Clemson. They just keep sending me hand-written letters every week from their coaches."
 
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**** off Clemson. This ones ours.

Yeah we gotta offer though mane, I hope soon...
Just think of the pass rushers we could have in 2014
Devante bond
Tyriq McCord
Gabe terry
Now this kid...hide yo wife hide yo kids
 
that why we losing kids to clemson sammy watkin,cook they writing him now we aint even offer him we not in a place to be not going after akid like this i was at the uva game last year and mccord could not get off his block because he need to bulk up same as this kid let get in the fold
 
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that why we losing kids to clemson sammy watkin,cook they writing him now we aint even offer him we not in a place to be not going after akid like this i was at the uva game last year and mccord could not get off his block because he need to bulk up same as this kid let get in the fold

First off, use some mother****ing punctuation.

Second, if I read that mess correctly, in one breath you're complaining about McCord needing to bulk up and getting man-handled versus UVA. In the next breath, you say that Smith needs to bulk up the same as McCord needs to, but then you say we need to get in the fold with Smith. Make up your mind, Davon!
 
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**** off Clemson. This ones ours.

Yeah we gotta offer though mane, I hope soon...
Just think of the pass rushers we could have in 2014
Devante bond
Tyriq McCord
Gabe terry
Now this kid...hide yo wife hide yo kids

dammit mane...AQM!
Wow how could I forget...we gon knock out a lot of players, we already know what deon/carter/burns/ Tracy/Gunter/Jenkins will do to the receivers, now the qb's gonna be getting laid out
 
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he's 6'3 and an absolute stud on the field, undersized or not we need this guy in orange and green!
 
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that why we losing kids to clemson sammy watkin,cook they writing him now we aint even offer him we not in a place to be not going after akid like this i was at the uva game last year and mccord could not get off his block because he need to bulk up same as this kid let get in the fold

is this pooche reborn?
 
Wil get an offer at camp or maybe a little before.

If he gains muscle, adapts to being a lineacker and can stop the run better he will gt his offer because the staff wants to see him more complete instead of kissing his *** which is the best thing a staff can do and thats make a kid better as a high school player
 
Louisville, West Virginia, Marshall? How are the kids grades?
 
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