Former Bentonville Receiver Ready For Bigger Things At UCA

Football practices at Central Arkansas this spring became a time for Desmond Smith to prove himself all over again.

The former Bentonville standout enjoyed a successful season last fall, when he emerged among a cast of talented, experienced receivers. Smith recovered a blocked punt for a touchdown in his first collegiate game, and he eventually finished third on the team -- second among receivers -- in pass receptions.

The Bears, however, head into the upcoming season under new leadership. Steve Campbell has taken over at the Conway campus after former coach Clint Conque left to take over at Stephen F. Austin. Smith, who will be a third-year sophomore next fall, knows he will have to do more with his hands than just catch passes if he wants to spend more time on the field.

"Much of the big focus this spring has been on blocking," he said. "How well you can get down there and block somebody will determine how much you're on the field next fall.

"Every receiver will be back next year, so I'm up to the challenge. I feel like I have to prove myself to this team again."

Smith signed with UCA after two stellar seasons at Bentonville, where he caught 122 passes for almost 2,200 yards and 28 touchdowns. He learned from veteran receivers and spent his time in the weight room during his 2012 redshirt season, which helped him gain valuable experience and add 23 pounds on his 6-foot-1 frame since he's been there.

He finished last season on a strong note when he caught seven passes for 98 yards, including a decisive 48-yard touchdown reception in a win over Nicholls State on Nov. 16. Smith ended the season with 43 receptions for 503 yards and three touchdowns last season and earned honorable mention all-Southland Conference honors.

"Desmond had a breakout year for us," said new UCA offensive coordinator Nathan Brown, who has been the quarterbacks coach the past three years. "He helped us solidify our receiver corps, and he has the talent to become one of the best receivers in the Southland Conference.

"The biggest difference in Desmond now is he has matured physically. He has always run great routes and had great hands, but now he has transformed into this 200-pound athlete. He bought into the weight program here, and he has become a more physical presence on the field."

Brown said he plans to utilize Smith's talents in a variety of different ways under the Bears' new offensive scheme, which will add a little more option to the passing game. Brown said he will emphasize getting the ball into the playmaker's hands as much as possible.

It means Smith could line up as an inside receiver or an outside receiver at different times. It could also lead to him going in motion and taking a pitch on a jet sweep when that play is called.

"I thought it was crazy at first because I had never done anything like that before," Smith said. "It overwhelmed me because I've never been the one that gets the ball and runs around the edge. The first time I did it in practice and had all those big blockers in front of me, it almost felt like me doing a punt return."

UCA closed out its spring practices Saturday with its Purple-Gray intrasquad game, and the Bears open their 2014 season Aug. 30 at Texas Tech.

Sports on 04/15/2014