Player of the Week
October 7, 2014
Bovie serving as Colonels’ leader
October 7, 2014
Most every local sports fan already knows that former Vandebilt Catholic quarterback Elijah McGuire has evolved to become a dominant collegiate halfback at the University of Louisiana-Lafayette.
But did you know that McGuire’s right-hand man in the Terriers’ spread option offense is making waves at the collegiate level, as well?
Former Vandebilt standout Aaron Smith is now a sophomore halfback at Peru State College – an NAIA institution in Nebraska.
Midway through his sophomore season, Smith has wasted no time in mimicking what he did at the high school level, gutting opponents for tough yardage in between the tackles to lead his team in both carries (63) and rushing yardage (211).
Smith also has a team-leading three touchdowns in the Bobcats’ run-oriented triple option offensive attack.
“It’s going so good for me,” Smith said. “I’m really liking the role that I have here. My freshman year, I played, but I didn’t see a ton of time because the fullback in front of me was a senior, so he got a lot of the work in the games. But now I’m on the field more, and I’m just happy. It’s all going great.”
For Smith, the path to Peru, Nebraska is a story of perseverance.
Smith rushed for 846 yards as a senior at Vandebilt, playing second-fiddle to McGuire in the team’s spread offense. Smith was the thunder in between the tackles, and McGuire was the lightning on the edges in a one-two punch that advanced all the way to the Class 4A Quarterfinals.
McGuire signed with ULL out of high school, thanks to his massive 2,094 rushing yards as a senior. But for months following the season, Smith sat at home with no offers on the table to continue his career.
“I didn’t know if I’d ever play again, honestly,” he said. “I knew I wanted to, but I just sort-of didn’t have anywhere to go, you know?”
But everything started to piece itself together for Smith in late-April of 2013 when he got interest from Peru State. It all started during a workout at Pro Athletic Performance – a local business where Smith and several other high profile local athletes train during their offseasons.
“I was sitting at PAP, and a friend of mine’s dad asked me about college and asked me if I had any offers,” Smith said. “At that time, I didn’t have anything, so he told me that he had a few connections, so he started to send out my information and we went from there.”
The friend’s dad was Travis Carrell – a Houma native who is well connected with several programs throughout the country because of his experience in sports administration, having worked with indoor professional football teams in his career.
Carrell gave Smith’s information to Bobcats’ coach Steve Schneider, who then arranged to host Smith on a visit.
After visiting the campus, Smith pulled the trigger and signed with the four-year program in Peru, which has a population of 865, according to the latest census numbers. Peru is within a half-hour drive from Omaha.
“I didn’t know anything about Nebraska, honestly,” Smith said with a laugh. “I made the visit and saw everything that this place had to offer, and from there, I sort of had a better idea. But before I got here, I really didn’t know what to expect. Honestly, I had never heard of Peru, Nebraska.”
Smith arrived into the Bobcats’ program in 2013 and was a backup for the team’s 7-4 season. He rushed the football 33 times for 138 yards and a touchdown as a true freshman.
But this year, he’s shouldering the load as the team’s primary workhorse. Smith said he worked hard this offseason and got into better shape. Always a thick, physical back who loves contact, the Houma native said he’s working hard to increase his speed and stamina to become a more complete player.
“I’m always working to get faster,” he said. “I’ve worked hard, but I will continue to work even harder to get better at that. I want to get to the point to where I am not having people catch me from behind. I want to get to the point to where I am never asking for a break because I’m so fresh that I can stay in all game.”
But in addition to personal goals, Smith said the team has ambitions to get better, as well. Peru State has started this season with just a 1-3 record, which has included close losses to Midland University and Evangel University.
The team’s lone win was a 23-21 triumph over Friends University – a team that is annually in the NAIA Top 25 polls.
Smith said the Bobcats have all of the tools needed to turn around their season. All it’ll take is a four-quarter effort.
“We fall behind too much,” Smith said. “We need to play all four quarters like we do the second half. I know it’s hard to play perfect football for all four quarters, but I think we can do a better job of that than we are now.”
If they are able to achieve that goal, Peru State is expected to push for a conference crown. But for Smith, win, lose or draw, he’s just happy to be on the gridiron. Out of Vandebilt, it didn’t always look like that’d be the case.
“I’m grateful, man. I’m blessed,” he said. “I’m happy to be here, too. Some people don’t have any homes, but I have two homes now. It’s a great feeling. This was a great decision for me.”
Houma native and Vandebilt Catholic graduate Aaron Smith bulldozes for yardage for Peru State in Nebraska.
