The University of Alabama at Birmingham Athletics
Smith An Integral Member Of Blazers' Senior Class
11/28/2014 12:00:00 AM | Football
By Steve Irvine
uabsports.com
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. ---- Nolen Smith's final season at UAB didn't come complete with a spotlight.
His lone tackle probably saved a touchdown at a key moment. One of his two catches gained a yard, the other moved the chains on a 4th down fake punt. One of his two passes gained 37 yards to start UAB's first touchdown drive against Mississippi State and the other was right on target but dropped in the loss to FIU.
Focus simply on those modest stats and it would be easy to assume that Smith wasn't a big part of a UAB senior class that is trying to lead the Blazers to bowl eligibility. Dig a little deeper, UAB head coach Bill Clark said, and you'll see that Smith epitomizes what this senior class is all about.
"One, they are good people," Clark said of the senior class. "Two, they are guys who care about this program and want to do well. Nolen comes out with a great attitude every day, that's why I love him."
Smith endured three separate coaching staffs, a position change, a knee injury that cost him a season and a different career script than he imagined when he showed up in Birmingham. And he did it all with no complaints.
"Just committed to this program and love of the game," Smith said when asked how he wanted to be remembered by UAB fans. "There have been some tough times but that's just the adversity that everybody goes through. One thing I pride myself on is getting through adversity."
Smith was the Class 4A Back of the Year after tying an Alabama prep record with 102 catches as a junior at Oneonta High. He had 41 career touchdown receptions in high school and found his way on the field immediately at UAB. He had just one catch as a true freshman but had a substantial role on special teams.
His best season came the following season when he first moved from wide receiver to tight end. He took advantage of coverage mismatches to catch 19 passes for 273 yards with touchdown receptions against UCF and Florida Atlantic. His 14.4 yards per catch average was second best on the team and he had at least one reception in each of the final six games under Neil Callaway and his staff.
He hit a bump when an offseason knee injury kept him out of the 2012 season and didn't get much of an opportunity in Garrick McGee's second and final season as the UAB head coach.
It was difficult getting on the field this season with a crowded tight end position and a deep corps of wide receivers. But he's still played an important role on part of one of the country's top special teams units.
"That's what a team player is," Clark said. "Nolen's got ability. He just slightly below, we've got some really good skill offensive guys. For us to put him as our personal protector on the punt team, that shows you how we trust him."
This past Saturday in the 23-18 loss to nationally ranked Marshall, Smith hustled down field and saved what was shaping up to be a possible punt return for a touchdown.
"I take a lot of pride in it," Smith said. "We had one run back on us against Alabama A&M. We kind of made a pact as a special team unit not to let that happen again. If that tackle saved a touchdown, I don't know if it did or not, but I take it as it did so it's important."
What's important now, for all the seniors, is finding a way to finish off their college career in style.
"I think it would be biggest for this senior group," said Smith, who will graduate in December with a degree in marketing. "We've been through three coaching staffs, we've been through a lot. All this outside stuff that's going on, I think it would be big for this program. It would be huge."
