Wolves relish redshirt's skills

JONESBORO — Andre Smith thought he would be a quarterback when he arrived at Arkansas State, but the redshirt freshman is looking to make an impact at another position this season.

Smith, from Killeen, Texas, has spent the majority of his practice time this fall making the transition from a successful high school dual-threat quarterbackto a hopeful playmaker at receiver for the Red Wolves.

"He is making a lot of strides," wide receivers coach Tyler Siskey said. "Becoming a receiver you can't do over night, but he is working very hard and has come a long way in a very short period of time. He keeps continuing to get better every day."

In high school, Smith was known for his play-making ability at quarterback. He rushed for 682 yards and 9 touchdowns, averaging 5.4 yards a carry as a senior. Smith also threw the ball, completing 102 of 205 passes for 1,414 yards and 9 touchdowns.

"Andre is a tremendous athlete and has done everything that we have asked him to do," ASU Coach Steve Roberts said. "He is an extremely tough individual, very tough. He plays the game very physical and is still learning because he is just redshirt freshman. We are very pleased with his progress."

Smith said that when approached by the coaching staff about a position change he was all for helping the team out any way possible.

"It was a work in progress, but I have always been an athlete," Smith said. "The only difficulty was just learning everything from a receivers perspective was a lot of work and challenging."

ASU quarterback Corey Leonard said he could tell from the first day he saw Smith on the practice field that he had potential to contribute.

"He is a player that can make a lot of things happen when you don't think anything should," Leonard said. "I think at first playing quarterback kind of limited his potential to be able to make big plays for us and as soon as we put him at wideout everyone was kind of like, 'Wow, this kid can play,' and he can play a lot of things for us."

Leonard said Smith's versatility affords ASU the opportunity to add in wrinkles such as the Wildcat or singlewing formation, where Smith can line up in the backfield and show off his athletic ability.

"I really enjoy running that a lot," Smith said. "I will be ready for that as many times as the coaches call it as the season goes on."

Smith has not caught a pass yet, rushing three times for 28 yards. Smith is expected to receive more action in the weeks ahead, but Roberts said the coaching staff will decide at season's end whether to keep Smith at receiver or put him back at quarterback next spring after the departure Leonard's eligibility expires.