Smith received a preferred walk-on opportunity from Wisconsin recently and has had talks with the Gophers about a possible walk-on scholarship situation.
Brian Smith, a 6-foot-4, 200-pound senior wide receiver/safety from Brookfield (WI) East, is one of the state’s top three-sport athletes. Smith received a preferred walk-on opportunity from Wisconsin recently and has had talks with the Gophers about a possible walk-on scholarship situation. He attended the Minnesota-Northwestern game and recently talked to Gopher Hole about the latest on his recruitment.
Smith helped lead the Spartans to a 10-0 record before losing to Whitefish Bay 24-14 (10-1) Friday in the Division 2 playoffs.
GopherHole.com caught up with Smith Monday morning after his game to add more information to a recent interview.
Gopher Hole: You came up just a little bit short on Friday. What happened in the game?
Brian Smith: We were rolling and we were up 14-3. I ended up getting hurt and things started to fall apart.
Gopher Hole: What was the injury?
Brian Smith: I was blocking and got rolled up from the back. It was a sprained ankle.
Gopher Hole: You recently received a preferred walk-on offer from Wisconsin. What was your reaction?
Brian Smith: It was really exciting. I was ecstatic when I got that. It is my first offer.
Gopher Hole: What are you hearing from the Gophers?
Brian Smith: I haven’t talked to them too much lately. I got a call a couple of days after the Wisconsin offer?
Gopher Hole: Have you talked to the Gophers about a walk-on opportunity?
Brian Smith: Honestly, I would love to have that opportunity. They wanted to see if they would have some scholarship money available.
Gopher Hole: What would the decision be if you had similar offers from both schools?
Brian Smith: I really don’t know. I would have to think about it. I don’t have a clue.
The rest of this interview took place before Friday’s game.
Gopher Hole: How is the season going so far?
Brian Smith: It is going really good. We are undefeated and we won the first conference championship in school history, so it is really exciting.
Gopher Hole: Obviously, you have high expectations in the playoffs and hope to make it to state. Is that something you have really been focusing on?
Brian Smith: Yes. This is really important. We have accomplished the main goals that we had set for the season, but now, we have one more and that is to get to the state championship. This is our last year and we want to go all out and get it.
Gopher Hole: What is the latest on your recruitment right now?
Brian Smith: I am getting looked at here (Minnesota), Wisconsin and Northern Illinois.
Gopher Hole: Have you had a chance to make many college games year?
Brian Smith: I have been to a couple at Wisconsin and I visited Northern Illinois a couple of weeks ago.
Gopher Hole: What schools have offered you so far?
Brian Smith: None. I have one from a Division II (St. Cloud State), but that is it.
Gopher Hole: Did you get a chance to go to many college camps this summer?
Brian Smith: I went to a couple. I went to the Illinois camp and the big Northwestern camp.
Gopher Hole: You also played for the Wisconsin Playground Elite AAU program that played in Minnesota in April. Are you getting looks for basketball or are you pretty much focused on football?
Brian Smith: I am getting Division III looks, but I am mainly focusing on football.
Gopher Hole: Are you playing any sports in the spring?
Brian Smith: I am running track. I do long jump and triple jump. I am not sure about the running event, probably some relays.
Gopher Hole: How much do you think that helps you in terms of speed and strength training?
Brian Smith: My biggest regret is doing AAU basketball over track this past summer. That would have helped me so much more in football. I still love basketball, so I had to do that, but it (track) helps tremendously with my speed, acceleration and all that stuff.
Gopher Hole: What things have you been really working on to improve yourself as a player?
Brian Smith: I am really focusing on my cuts and just focusing when I am out there on catching the ball. That is the main thing I have to do. I have to get that down.
Gopher Hole: Having played safety, do you think that helps you a lot as a wide receiver since you know what the defender wants to do and visa versa?
Brian Smith: I think it helps a lot. I have seven interceptions so far. I am trying to get that school record. I am one away.