Wide receiver DeAirious Smith has played in 37 games at Eastern Illinois and averaged nearly 17 yards a catch for the Panthers. (Photo by Sandy King, EIUPanthers.com)
By Barry Bottino
DeAirious Smith’s 2024 season was cut short in Week 2 by a broken leg.
Last Thursday, the graduate student returned to the field for the Panthers for his final collegiate season … with a few butterflies.
“Coming into the game, I had some nerves, but once that first play happened, all the nerves went out. It’s football,” he said. “It’s back to backyard football when I was a little kid, having fun.”
Smith played a key role in EIU’s 24-14 season-opening victory against Dayton, when he caught a 47-yard bomb from quarterback Cole LaCrue early in the fourth quarter. One play later, LaCrue scored on a 1-yard run for a 17-7 lead.
Now with an engineering technology degree under his belt, Smith discusses working with his hands in class, the most impactful position coach in his career, can’t-miss things to do in his hometown, the messiest position group in the locker room and who would make the best boxer on EIU’s team.
Get to know all about Smith in our Moving the Chains Q&A series.
What were your emotions returning to the field?
It feels great. Sitting out last year, it really hindered me. Coming back on the field with my brothers, it’s fun. It’s that childhood game I can play again.
How did you handle the mental side of recovery?
At first, it was hard. I wanted to be out there. Last year was supposed to be my last season. I thought it was going to be my best season. Coming into fall camp (in 2024), it was the best I’d ever felt. It took me down a little dark hole. But my brothers and my family all had me, so it didn’t last that long.
What impact has EIU wide receivers coach Tino Smith II had on you?
It’s tremendous. He’s the best receivers coach I feel like I’ve ever had. He doesn’t take one thing and teach the whole group. He learns each player and what’s best for them. He teaches them to help better their game. He’s a true role model to me.
You’re from Lexington, Ky. What are three things everybody should do if they visit Lexington?
If you come to Kentucky, you’ve got to come when we’re having the Kentucky Derby. I’d definitely say go to a University of Kentucky basketball game. We’re a big basketball state. If you’re old enough and you’re a drinker, try some bourbon. We also have some good food, too.
Legendary heavyweight champ Muhammad Ali is from Kentucky. Who would make the best boxer on the EIU roster?
I’d have to give it to (offensive lineman) Nic DiSanto. He’s the biggest guy. I don’t know if he’s got the best hands, but we’ll see.
You and fellow receiver Cooper Willman have been teammates for five years. What do you appreciate most about him?
He’s a great dude. He’s always humble, and he’s always going to be humble with everything.
Tell us about your family.
I have two sisters on my mom’s side. I’ve got two older brothers, an older sister and a younger brother on my dad’s side. It’s a big family on both sides. On my mom’s side, I have my stepdad, who’s basically like my father. He’s been in my life since I was young, so I’ve got two fathers.
On my mom’s side, I’m the oldest child. On my dad’s side, I’m the second youngest.
What’s your favorite EIU uniform combination?
I’m not going to lie. I’m going to say the all blacks (we wore against Dayton).
Do you have a favorite professional sports team?
My favorite is the Pittsburgh Steelers. Football is my favorite sport. I’ve been playing since I was 4. When I first started playing football, the first team I played for was called the Steelers. When I started learning more about football and watching it, there was Big Ben (Roethlisberger), Santonio Holmes, Troy Polamalu, all those guys.
Do you have any favorite sports jerseys?
My jersey. I’ll say No. 6. (Laughs)
What’s your favorite hobby outside of football?
I love fishing. When I was younger, I went with my brothers and my grandfather, who was the one who showed me. It just built from there. I liked to go with my friends. It’s peaceful to me. Even if you don’t catch something, just sitting out there relaxing is so peaceful.
My favorite fish that I’ve caught is a smallmouth bass. They fight the hardest. I was creek hopping with a couple friends in high school. It took me about 5 minutes to catch that fish. He put up a good fight.
What TV show or movie do you recommend most to friends and teammates?
For TV show, I’d definitely say Snowfall. As for movies, there are a lot of good ones. I watch a lot of movies. The last movie I saw was the last Mission Impossible (The Final Reckoning). It was a decent movie.
What’s your favorite class and professor you’ve had at EIU?
(Applied engineering) professor Isaac Slaven. I got my bachelor’s in engineering technology. He taught a very hands-on class. Then there was a construction management class where I got to make a hammer.
What’s a dream job for you after football?
I’d say cybersecurity or something with technology and engineering. Nowadays, technology is such a big part of lives.
Do you have any game day superstitions?
When it comes to a game, I just try to be as calm and relaxed as possible.
Who’s the neatest player and the messiest player in the locker room?
I don’t know who the neatest guy is, but the messiest are the offensive lineman. I’m not going to say one of them. I’m going to say all of them.
Who’s an unsung hero in the Eastern program?
Our trainers. They’ve helped me a lot because I’ve had a lot of injuries. I’m always in there and they get me to be the best I can.
Barry Bottino is a co-founder of Prairie State Pigskin and a 19-year veteran of three Illinois newspapers. He has covered college athletics since 1995.
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