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Spencer Smith, Working for a Scholarship
Buckeye Football

Spencer Smith, Working for a Scholarship

Walk-on fullback Spencer Smith is learning quickly from fullbacks Dionte Johnson, Trevor Robinson, and Tyler Whaley how to play the position. He saw two of those players earn scholarships during their careers and wants to do the same.

By Steve Patterson

    Full back Spencer Smith had other options than to walk-on at Ohio State but having his brother already on the team and having a father who also played for the Buckeye’s made his current situation a dream come true. “A couple of factors led me to be a walk-on at OSU.” Spencer told us. “First of all I have grown up dreaming of playing for the Buckeyes my whole life. My father played from 78-82 so I was raised a Buckeye. My brother also playing here factored into me wanting to play here.”

    Smith had offers from three D1 programs but chose Ohio State. “I was offered by Ohio University as well as all three military academies (AF, Navy and Army) as well as a hand full of D1AA schools including Youngstown St, Southern Illinois and Wofford to name a few. I just new my dream would never be fulfilled even if I were a very successful player at one of those schools.”

    Seeing two scholarship fullbacks last season play meaningful minutes after walking on to the program gave Smith a good feeling about this opportunity. “Also Tank (Whaley) and Trev (Robinson) being former walk-ons and earning scholarships really showed me if you work hard you can play here.” He explained.

    He is in a learning process as he did not play fullback at Cincinnati Colerain during his high school career but has a good set of mentors. “Having a brother on the team does make learning on and off the field a little easier but not tremendously simply because we play different positions. The three fullbacks last year (Tank, Dionte (Johnson) and Trev) taught me the most all in all just from being in the system for all those years.”

    Going into Fall camp, it should be a four man battle for the starting position with other opportunities for all to get on the field. “Right now the three fullbacks who have been taking reps at fullback are Ryan Lukens, Curtis Terry and I. I worked with the twos and the threes for camp, but the position is still open and will be won in the fall.” True Freshman Jermil Martin from Cleveland Glenville will also be in camp when the Buckeyes start to prepare for the 2008 season.

 
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