Illinois State left tackle Brandon Smith (60) has started all five games this season for the nationally ranked Redbirds. (Photo by GoRedbirds. com)
By Dan Verdun
After playing sparsely a year ago, Brandon Smith needed to know what it would take to get on the field more.
That led him to each of his coaches’ offices in Illinois State’s Kaufman Football Building. There were graduate assistants and other support staff. There was offensive line coach Harold Ethridge.
And, of course, there was head coach Brock Spack.
“We had a heart-to-heart talk. I asked him what I needed to do to become the starting left tackle,” Smith told Prairie State Pigskin.
The message from the staff was universally clear.
“They needed me to build and earn their trust (with my performance),” said Smith, who began his career as a defensive lineman.
The foundation was built through diligence and hard work.
“We literally started from square one. I was there Monday through Friday from December into May. I was going to football school. It was the Xs and Os,” Smith said. “Before we even watched film, our grad assistant would say, ‘Draw me an even front. Draw me an odd front.’ He had me show him different fronts and then we would watch film and talk about different defenses and what we should run. It really gave me an understanding of football.”
Smith’s persistence and dedication paid dividends. The Indianapolis native, who began his career at FBS Western Michigan, has started all five of ISU’s games this season.
“Once I got that down, everything just started to click,” Smith said. “The game slowed down. It got me to where I am today.”
Get to know Brandon Smith in our Moving the Chains Q&A.
How did you feel about switching from defensive line to offensive line?
I wasn’t opposed to it. I didn’t want to do it, but if it meant getting me on the field, I was open to it. It was my shot, especially with me being a late bloomer.
You said you were a late bloomer. When did you start playing football?
My junior year of high school. I played basketball before that.
How did playing defensive line help you as an offensive lineman?
I feel like I can adjust to what D-linemen do. They have a lot of counters. They can go from speed to power, for example. With me having been on that side of the ball, I know what to expect. I feel like I can move with them.
How does your basketball experience help you with your football footwork?
It helps a ton. (Playing offensive line) is kind of like playing defense in basketball. I’m staying in front of a defender. It’s keeping him away from the quarterback or ball carrier.
Why did you choose Illinois State over the other offers you had?
Coach Ethridge called me late one night. I answered the phone, not knowing who it was. He told me they liked my film and asked when I could visit campus. I said, “Whenever you want.” He said, “Great, I’ll pick you up in the morning.”
It was already midnight by then. I woke up at six o’clock and he called and said he was 30 minutes away. I packed a quick bag and then he was there.
All the coaches were super welcoming (at ISU). Coach Spack didn’t try to sell a dream. He told me what he expected from me and what I could do for them. Everything they told me from the jump held true. There weren’t any surprises. A lot of guys go somewhere and then when they don’t play, they blame everybody. They didn’t tell me I’d start right away. They told me I had to work. That’s what attracted me the most.
Tyrone Tracy of the New York Giants went to your Indianapolis high school. Do you know him?
Absolutely. His family kind of took me in. He has a younger brother who is my best friend, Jermon Tracy. We grew up together. We always played sports together. Their dad was always trying to get me to play football. He said, “You’re a good basketball player, but football will get you where you need to be in life.” One day, he was like, “It’s time.” That family really inspired me to play football.
Tyrone’s cousin, Larry, played here at ISU. He told me I’d like it here. He told me this place was the real deal.
(Former ISU quarterback) Bryce Jefferson went to my high school too. His mom was our middle school guidance counselor. She’s like a mom to us. Our community is big, but it’s super tight.
You have four siblings. Who’s the best athlete?
Me, of course. (laughs)
Who’s the best student?
My little sister, Breote, who goes to Ball State. She’s studying law.
Who are you closest to?
All of them. Being from a single-parent household, we’re all pretty tight. My mom always told us, “You’re all you’ve got, especially when I’m gone.” That stuck with us. I talk to them all every day, multiple times a day. Checking on their days and grades, regular sibling stuff.
What’s the best piece of advice you ever received?
Be where your feet are. I think about that a lot. A lot of people ask where are you going to be in five years? Where are you going to be after that? I really don’t know.
Be where your feet are. It’s so real. You have to be real. You don’t know where you’re going to be tomorrow. You don’t know what’s going to happen in the next 10 minutes, so you have to be where your feet are.
What’s an interest you have outside of football?
I’m really into video games. I love them. When I’m not at practice or in class, I’m at home playing video games. Right now, I’ve been playing 2K with the guys.
With your basketball and football success and being from Indianapolis are you more of a Pacers or Colts fan?
Honestly, I was never really a fan of either. Once the Pacers started going on a run (to the NBA Finals last year), it was hard not to jump on board.
Were your sports heroes growing up more basketball players?
I’m a big LeBron guy, but I’d say it was more so local football guys that played at my school. Guys like (quarterback) Tommy Stevens (who played at Penn State and Mississippi State). When you see guys so close to home doing big things, you get this feeling that you want that too.
What’s a skill you have that not many people know about?
I play the drums. I played in church growing up.
If someone is visiting Indianapolis, what are some must-do or must-see places?
They definitely have to check out Long’s Bakery. Whenever I go home, that’s the first place I go. I don’t even go home first; I go straight to Long’s. I just get a dozen glazed donuts and it’s like the best thing you’ve ever had.
Do you prefer day or night games?
Night games. They have more of that Friday night feel. I’m more enthusiastic when we play at night. When we played at Oklahoma and it started to get dark and the lights came on, I took time to look around. It did like a 360 and was thinking this is crazy. It gives me that rush.
What’s your routine leading up to a game?
I wake up and take a shower. I pray. On game day, I probably pray 100 times a day. I pray for me and my teammates’ safety, and for coaches, families and the opposing team. Then I eat and joke around with the guys a little bit. Once we’re on the bus, it’s listening to music and (going) mute. When the stretch is on, I’ve got my head on. It’s like tunnel vision. I’m locked into what I’ve got to do.
Dan Verdun is a co-founder of Prairie State Pigskin. He has written four books: NIU Huskies Football, EIU Panthers Football, ISU Redbirds Football and SIU Salukis Football.
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