New role, same mindset for Mississippi State junior Isaac Smith

A year ago not many things went right for Jeff Lebby’s debut season at Mississippi State. But one positive development was the play of Isaac Smith and his rise into a leadership role.

Now entering his junior season with the Bulldogs, Smith is taking on new duties within the Bulldogs’ defensive attack. On Friday the former Itawamba AHS standout met with the media to discuss training camp and his position:

Q: How have the first couple days of camp been?
Smith: It’s fun. Getting to see all the guys fly around again. We’re getting to play football. It’s not in the meeting room all day, working out or running. We actually get to do what we came to school to do and that’s play ball. It’s fun.

Q: How do you feel about the depth on this year’s team?
Smith: I love it. We brought guys in who want to play. So there’s a lot of competitiveness. Everybody is going to get a shot. This fall camp everybody has to come, work, compete each and every day. Come Saturday, August 30, we are going to see who is out there and it’s gonna be a good game.

Q: What role do you see yourself playing this year?
Smith: Just being that key piece in the middle again, that outside linebacker piece. Just being able to fly around and be that piece where Coach (Coleman) Hutzler can use me however he wants and just be an energy giver to the defense. At the end of the day, it’s all about having fun and competing and winning.

Q: Early on what have you seen from freshman linebacker Tyler Lockhart?
Smith: He’s developing. He’s gonna be really good. I feel like this fall camp is really critical to him, getting better in the playbook and going out there and playing fast. That’s what it’s gonna come down to.

Q: Are you playing more linebacker this year?
Smith: It’s more linebacker, but also just float around.

Q: What are you seeing from some of the other guys in the secondary?
Smith: Jahron (Manning) did a lot at his old school. He knows the game of football really well. Brylo (Brylan Lanier) played here last year and we got Hunter Washington back. Just having those guys in the backend takes a lot of stress off me and the other linebackers and the D line just because we know we’ve got some players back there that know the game of football and been around it for a while.

Q: Your thoughts on where you are playing now?
Smith: I love it. I get to be versatile and be physical. I get to play close and play man as well. It’s fun.

Q: How is Tony Mitchell doing?
Smith: Tony is doing really good. He came in, worked hard and I’m ready for everybody to see what he can do.

Q: In terms of the defense as a whole, what is the biggest difference on defense compared to last year?
Smith: I would just say execution. I feel like people know more at this point in time than we did last year at this point in time. I feel like they are more dedicated this year, listening and doing what Coach Hutzler wants us to do. Just wanting to be great and better. It is about believing and I feel like we have that belief.

Q: Will you be the communication guy on defense?
Smith: I do not know yet. But I know what we have been practicing all summer, spring and the transition now, it’s just the whole defense communicating with each other. That’s going to be a big part of winning. You can’t go play in some of these stadiums where it’s loud. Even Davis Wade, it’s so loud you can’t hear. Being able to communicate is a big part of defense in general.

Q: How much of a difference do you see in the locker room?
Smith: I do. It feels more of a culture and a brotherhood. At the end of the day, that’s what it’s about, building that culture and brotherhood. We can build that trust and belief in each other and go out there on Saturdays and win.

Q: What are you seeing from the guys behind you and who is sticking out?
Smith: Really all of them. They really dedicate themselves to watching film and just studying the game of football. That’s what I love about them. They’re veteran players and they have seen a bunch and played a bunch of football at a high level. It comes down to them seeing plays fast and executing. All of them can do it.