Mississippi State safety Isaac Smith: 'I'm a Bulldog day in and day out'
Heading into his final season at Mississippi State, safety Isaac Smith wants to go out on top. Last year presented a lot of challenges for Smith and he wants to go out a winner.
Last year saw Smith hampered by injuries and postseason surgery also kept him out of the bowl game. But now he is healthy and ready to atone for any lost time on the gridiron.
Earlier this wee Smith met with the media to discuss spring ball and the familiar faces back on State’s defensive staff:
Q: How has Zach Arnett and Matt Brock being back impacted you?
Smith: They recruited me out of high school. Those guys, when I was here as a freshman, they came with the energy and juice every day. Honestly, I just feel like that’s increased. It’s great to have those guys back to coach us and lead us on the defensive side of the ball.
Q: What changes for you position-wise?
Smith: Safety and Dog. Just being that little piece again and being able to use all my skill set.
Q: After being banged up last season, how are you feeling now?
Smith: This is probably the best I’ve felt since probably the beginning or middle of last season. It’s just great to be back out there with the guys, flying around and having fun playing football.
Q: What have you liked from the new guys in the secondary?
Smith: They’re well-experienced. They have played a lot of ball. They know ball really well and the come to compete and work hard every single day.
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Q: How is this spring different for you?
Smith: For me, it’s trying to be a better leader, and bringing up guys that are going to be really good. Most importantly, just staying healthy. I want this year to be my best year that I’ve had at Mississippi State. I want to win. So, I’m doing everything I can to stay healthy and win, put what I can for the team on the table.
Q: With all the new coaches, how has that energy carried over to the spring?
Smith: It’s been good. Guys are picking up the defense. They’re learning things as every day goes along. As older guys, we just have to stay on people about picking it up faster and learning because it’s only going to get harder. When we start playing, you gotta be sharp. Just staying on those guys about picking everything up, keeping the juice and growing as a team and brotherhood.
Q: Have you seen any of the younger guys step up?
Smith: They have. Bralan (Womack) is doing really good on the defensive side. We have a bunch of new players in the safety room. Bralan is young, he’s stepped up and doing really good. So him just continuing to build on that, it’s going to be good for him.
Q: With the transfer portal and all these days, what does it mean for you to still here?
Smith: I’m a Bulldog day in and day out. I wouldn’t want to be anywhere else right now. I’ve said it before, I bleed maroon and white and I will until I die. I started my journey here and my mom always said whenever you start something, you finish it. There’s nothing better than going out there for those fans and hearing those cowbells and going out there and competing.
Q: What do you think about the defensive line?
Smith: We have a bunch of bigger guys, guys that can move. Guys that have played football at a high level. Them coming in and learning the scheme and system, and being able to play fast, pursue to the ball. That’s going to make a difference for us guys in the back end when they can get after the quarterback and create pressure.
