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2010 SPRING OUTLOOK (First name is pronounced ja-QWEESE) ... Exciting defensive end talent who has put himself in a position to be a favorite to land a starting spot at defensive end in 2010, after he was a part-time starter a year ago ... Begins spring drills atop the depth chart at one end position after emerging as a proven play-maker over the last two seasons.
2009 SEASON Showed a knack for being around the ball and making plays, as he played in all 13 games, starting 5 of them while racking up 39 tackles, including 4 tackles for loss and 1.5 quarterback sacks ... Provided plenty of big plays throughout the year, thanks to his having a hand in 4 turnovers ... Forced a pair of fumbles on the year (including a huge one which led to an offensive touchdown against Kansas), recovered a fumble, and also intercepted a pass and returned it for a touchdown ... Also showed his offensive abilities when he took a shovel pass on a fake field goal attempt at Colorado, and scooted around left end 24 yards for a touchdown, making a nice move to evade a would-be tackler at the line of scrimmage ... Closed the season by notching a career-high 9 tackles in the 2009 Texas Bowl against Navy ... Made five tackles against Illinois in game one of the year and picked up a sack for a loss of three yards ... Had four tackles, including a half sack against Bowling Green on Sept. 12 ... Recorded his first career interception against Furman and returned it 43 yards for a touchdown ... Had one tackle in the win over Furman and recorded three tackles, all solo stops, against Nevada ... Made a pair of tackles against Nebraska and had one stop against both Oklahoma State and Texas ... Had his first career fumble recovery against Colorado ... Had five tackles and recorded 1.5 TFLs against Baylor ... Made three tackles and forced a fumble against Kansas State on Nov. 14 ... Had five tackles in the win over Kansas ... Won the starting job to begin the year after an impressive spring practice period that saw him named as the team's most improved defensive lineman ... Changed his jersey number to #3 prior to spring ball, after wearing #53 the previous year.
2008 SEASON Was impressive from virtually day one in fall camp, and didn't take long to establish that he would see the field as a true freshman ... Ended up playing in all 14 games, and making one start, against Colorado ... Finished with a solid rookie campaign, recording 46 tackles, 3 tackles for loss, 1 quarterback sack, and adding 2 pass break ups and 2 quarterback hurries ... Closed the season in fine fashion, as he notched a career-best 7 tackles in helping Mizzou to its thrilling overtime win against Northwestern in the Alamo Bowl ... After recording one tackle against Illinois, had consecutive six-tackle games against Southeast Missouri State and Nevada ... Made one tackle against Nebraska and had two stops against Oklahoma State ... Got free for his first collegiate sack against the Cowboys, dropping the play for a 3-yard loss ... Made five tackles (four solos) against Texas ... Had six stops against Colorado, five of which were solo ... Made three tackles against Iowa State and added two stops against Kansas and Oklahoma.
HIGH SCHOOL Ranked by Rivals as the No. 26 weakside defensive end prospect in the nation ... ESPN.com ranked him as the nation's No. 75 defensive end (either side) prospect ... Tabbed an all-midlands region defensive lineman by PrepStar Magazine ... Comes from the same high school as current Tiger La'Roderick Thomas ... Two-time 1st-Team All-District performer, who also earned Hon. Men. All-State honors as a senior in 2007 ... Outstanding all-around athlete who has won all-district honors and a state championship as a starting power forward in basketball, in addition to being a regional champion in track ... High school coach - Chris Gilbert.
PERSONAL Parents - Jimmy & Opal Smith ... Chose Mizzou over many other big-name schools, including Nebraska, Texas A&M, Michigan State, Colorado, Colorado State and Kentucky, among others ... Has an interest in studying sports medicine while at Mizzou ... Lists playing basketball and watching television as some of his hobbies outside of football ... Has worked in the past for the Dallas Morning News ... Stated that the primary draw for him to Mizzou was the relationships built with him by the coaches and the family atmosphere he felt a part of during his recruiting visits.
SMITH Career Statistics G-GS Solo-Asst. Total TFL-Yds. Sacks-Yds. FF FR QBH PBU 2008 14-1 22-24 46 3-6 1-3 0 0-0 2 2 2009 13-5 23-16 39 4-10 1.5-5 2 1-0 2 1 Totals 27-6 45-40 85 7-16 2.5-8 2 1-0 4 3
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