Player Spotlight: Freshman WR Fred Smith of Michigan State
August 17th, 2008 by Jason Roberts
The Michigan State coaching staff knew heading into the 2008 preseason that finding a replacement for former standout wide receiver, Devin Thomas , wasn’t going to be an easy task. Fortunately, it seems that incoming freshman recruit at wideout, Fred Smith , is about to make that process a much less stressful one than head coach Mark Dantonio initially thought.
Regarded by many as the top-recruit for the class of 2008 for the Michigan State football program, Smith ranked the #34 receiver in the nation by Scouts.com , provides the Spartans with a fantastic target in terms of size (6’2" and 207 pounds) and brings sprint-quality speed to a Big Ten Conference team seeking a home-run hitting target deep down field.
Smith was a three-year starter at Southeastern High School in Detroit, Michigan, where, not only did he play wide receiver but also spent time as a quarterback and in the defensive backfield.
As a senior, Smith grabbed 43 receptions for 665 yards and seven touchdowns, even though for much of the year he was hindered by a sprained ankle. Smith was equally impressive as a junior, taking 37 passes for 595 yards and six scores on the season.
There is talk that given his background, Smith could easily line up at multiple spots on offense, not only catching the ball downfield, but taking handoffs in the back field and/or direct snaps a la Darren McFadden at Arkansas.
Some worry surrounds Smith’s weight, with offensive coordinator Don Treadwell suggesting that Smith may end up proving "too large" to stay at wideout. In such an instance, it is likely that the freshman would be moved to tight end. However, considering the hype that surrounded the youngster in high school, Treadwell is intrigued about seeing firsthand what Smith can provide at receiver to an offense that in 2008 will lack a playmaker on the edges with the quality of a Devin Thomas
Reports have been solid on fellow freshman Keshawn Martin thus far during fall camp as well, and fantasy owners couldn’t be wrong in perhaps going with a more traditional type of receiver than Smith. Yet, given the latter’s size and speed, it seems logical that Smith will have plenty of benefit in proving the MSU coaching staff wrong as opposed to right.
Smith therefore should make for an excellent pick in keeper drafts, and will pan out for fantasy owners, even should he be switched to the tight end role.
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