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.