On Deck: SMU Quarterback Braden Smith Gets Chance, Moves To No. 2

DALLAS - Perseverance – you can’t beat it. Just ask Braden Smith.

In February of ‘08, when Smith (5-11, 194) signed with SMU out of Rockwall, Texas, he had a steep hill to climb for playing time. Already on the Mustangs’ roster were two-year starter Justin Willis, redshirt freshmen Logan Turner and Daniel Miller, and sophomore-transfer Ross Hill.

Oh – and a guy named Bo Levi Mitchell was on the way.

But, as it turned out, Willis - after being suspended for a time – was moved to receiver/punt returner, Mitchell was named the starter by new head coach June Jones, and Turner, Miller and Hill left SMU.

That makes Smith, who redshirted last year, the Mustangs’ second-most experienced Jones’-system quarterback this fall.

From left, in blue jerseys, Braden Smith, J.J. McDermott and Bo Levi Mitchell perform drills during Monday morning's workout at Ford Stadium. Temperatures were in the 30s as practice began. At far left, in white, is receiver E.J. Drewery.

And that’s the chance Smith has been working for.

“All you look for is an opportunity,” Smith said after Monday’s chilly practice session. “I’m out here just trying to help this team get better, one day at a time.”

Smith said his father, Scott, Rockwall High’s athletic coordinator and head football coach, told him to “always be ready” and to “continually prepare” for such an opportunity.

Smith took good advantage of his redshirt season. “I spent a lot of time in the weight room and got a lot stronger,” he said. “I got faster.” And he absorbed the Run-and-Shoot offense. “As a freshman coming in, learning an entirely new offense, that can be tough. So having a whole year to just learn was great for me.”

Smith said he and Mitchell have a good relationship. “I tell him, ‘Hey, I’m going to compete as hard as I can. I’m coming after you when we’re on the field.’ Then, when we’re off the field, we’re best friends.”

“Out here [at practice,] we’re encouraging each other. We get along great.”

If Smith is called on this fall, what then? “I’m ready,” he said. “I prepared last year every game just like I would have prepared if I was the starter.”

Jones has noticed Smith’s work ethic but doesn’t see him pushing Mitchell for playing time yet. “Braden’s working really hard,” Jones said. “I think until he gets game experience, it’s hard to really push [Mitchell.] Bo has a big jump just in playing all that he played last year.”

J.J. McDermott (6-4, 223), who transferred to SMU from New Mexico State, practices with the team but must sit out this season. “I’m liking what I’m seeing from all of them so far,” Jones said of his three quarterbacks after Monday’s session.

“Braden’s stronger [this year] and has a better understanding. And J.J., for just only being here for four days, is doing pretty good.”

Kyle Padron (6-4, 195), of Southlake Carroll High, arrives in the fall.

Smith says even after SMU’s back-to-back 1-11 seasons, the attitude on the team is good. “We’ve got a strong belief in Coach Jones and what he’s doing here. To have a year under our belt [in this system], I think everybody is enthusiastic and ready to get going.”

What about McDermott? “He can sling it,” Smith said. “He’s got a good arm.”

McDermott said he started looking for another school after his coach at NMSU, Hal Mumme, was fired in December. Upon hearing Jones had a spot for him at SMU, McDermott was sold. “Coach Jones has a great reputation,” McDermott said. “What quarterback wouldn’t want to come over here?”

McDermott, left, and Smith after Monday's practice. McDermott, a junior, will sit out this season after transferring from New Mexico State. Smith is No. 2 on the depth chart behind Bo Levi Mitchell.

“SMU’s a great school, great academically, and the scenery’s not too bad around here either. It’s just been a great experience. Coach Jones is a great coach. … So it couldn’t be better.”

McDermott, a Katy Cinco Ranch product, calls his new colleagues, Mitchell and Smith, “two good guys.”

“They’re always there to help me out,” he said. “They’ve been here a year and kind of know the ropes, so it’s been good.”

McDermott saw Jones’ Hawaii Warriors and Colt Brennan up close while at NMSU. “Everybody’s familiar with that guy,” McDermott said of Brennan. “You see somebody throw 60 touchdowns, or whatever he did, it’s pretty fun to watch and something you’d like to do, I guess.”

McDermott will have to wait, but Smith’s chance is now.

Did You Know?

*SMU’s Spring Practice concludes on April 25 with the annual Red-Blue Scrimmage at Ford Stadium.

*As a senior at Rockwall, Smith threw for 2,880 yards and 26 touchdowns with three interceptions, completing 64 percent of his passes.

*Mitchell and McDermott faced off once in high school, in 2006, when Mitchell led the Katy Tigers to a 17-3 win over McDermott’s Cinco Ranch Cougars en route to an undefeated run to the state quarterfinals, where Katy lost. Cinco Ranch lost one other game that year, in the third round of the playoffs.