Isaac Smith has embraced leadership role in year two

Maturity and a high IQ led to early playing time last season for Mississippi State Isaac Smith, but he wasn’t quite ready for the spotlight.

The freshman safety from Fulton took his lumps on special teams and as a reserve defensive back and he made 15 tackles in 12 games. It was a season of learning and developing and it led to what has been a tremendous sophomore campaign with the maroon and white.

15 total tackles last season have transformed to nearly 15 tackles a game for Smith this season. He leads the SEC in total stops, but most importantly he’s leading the Bulldogs through a tumultuous time in its football program. His steadiness in the room has been one of the few bright spots in what has been a tough year for the State defense and for the team as a whole.  

“I’ve always had that role growing up in high school. Last year seeing a bunch of the older guys do it, it prepared me for this year especially being able to lead the guys,” Smith said of his leadership. “I feel like if I come and lack some days, it’s not going to be good. But if I come every day with the same energy, never change and be myself, I’m perfect for that role.”

Smith’s production, leadership has earned Conerly nomination

Smith’s consistency is evident in the way he handles his day-to-day routine and it carries all the way over to game day. On the year, he’s the first SEC player to the century mark with 101 tackles, two pass deflections and a forced fumble in nine games.

He’s been pacing the conference for the lead in tackles most of the way and he’s on track to give State the SEC’s leading tackler for a third-straight season. His work hasn’t gone unnoticed, either, as the Bulldogs made him the team’s nominee for the CSpire Conerly Trophy – the award that recognizes the state’s best collegiate football player.

“It means a lot,” Smith said of the nomination. “Growing up, I saw a bunch of big names nominated. It just goes to show that you don’t have to leave the state to play great football and be great or just represent your state.”

The individual accolades are nice for Smith, but he’s ready to win again.

After spending the bye week resting and getting a chance to watch his alma mater Itawamba AHS in the playoffs, Smith is ready for one final go for this season. A 7-3 Missouri team is first on the docket, fresh off of a New Year’s Six bowl game last season and an 11-2 record.

The Tigers are 3-3 in SEC play this year and had a tough 34-30 loss to South Carolina on the road last week. With quarterback Brady Cook getting more healthy and one of the country’s best wide outs in Luther Burden, Mizzou still poses a major threat for Smith and his teammates on Saturday at 3:15 p.m.

“They’re a really good team. Their starting quarterback is back and he can really do a lot with his feet and in the air. It just will come down to how well we practice this week and go out and compete Saturday,” Smith said of the Tigers. “Their OC and head coach are going to try to get those guys the ball so it’s going to be about rallying, getting them on the ground and not letting them get momentum early.”

It’s been as challenging a year for a State team in 20 seasons with the Bulldogs sitting at 2-8 and 0-6 in SEC play. There are two chances to salvage some positivity for the year and move into next season with some momentum with Senior Day on Saturday and a Battle for the Golden Egg showdown with No. 9 Ole Miss next Friday afternoon.

Grabbing an upset in the last two weekends would be a major springboard for a State team looking for some positives. Smith said that the team is preparing daily to try and make it happen.

“It will mean a lot to make a big statement going into next year,” Smith said of finding success to end the year. “I think a lot of people are looking down on us right now but these last two games mean a lot to us because we want to send our seniors out the right way.

“We still can prove something before next season. It will be great to go into the season with momentum after these last two games.”