Brashard Smith shares key to taking next step at Miami

Now going into his third season at Miami, wide receiver Brashard Smith is looking to take the next step forward as an individual while the team improves around him.

As Smith explained, he’s hoping to be able to do this by slowing down the game and getting back to basics.

“I feel like, for me, it’s just slowing down like the game,” Brashard Smith said. “Like trying to go too fast and like just slow down and just do my job and just focus on what you have and just play. Play football.”

Smith admitted that he doesn’t think he’s played his best football yet. However, he thinks that should be coming soon because of everyone around him helping to lift him up.

“I feel like my best year will be coming up.”

In two seasons at Miami, Brashard Smith has played in 20 games. During that time, he’s made 47 catches for 507 yards and two touchdowns. However, one thing that’s going to make his third season difficult is that he’ll be on his third offensive coordinator, and therefore his third system, in as many seasons.

This year, the new offensive coordinator is going to be Shannon Dawson, who comes from an Air Raid background. He has spoken about that background and how his offense has evolved over time.

“In my opinion there’s no such thing as the Air-Raid offense anymore. We’ve evolved – when we went to West Virginia we had a bunch of tight ends on the roster and had to figure out how to use those guys and be physical and play more into the strengths of your team. Running the football and playing with tight ends builds culture. … We’re never going to go away with that. And we’re going to run the ball effectively,” Dawson said.

“I started off my career throwing more than I do now, but you can throw it for more yards if you run better, because defenses will play down. I don’t want to throw it less, but I want to throw it for more yards.”

Brashard Smith on his position coach

Along with a new offensive coordinator, Brashard Smith will also be working with a new position coach this year. That would be Kevin Beard, who Smith praised.

“The best coach I’ve ever had,” Smith said.

“Receiver-wise, he’s teaching me everything — like the little things and just my routes and getting up on a defender and stuff like that. I feel like it’s a big change for me and the younger guys coming in.”