Fresno State Athletics
No Longer an Unknown
8/28/1999 12:00:00 AM | Football
Aug. 28, 1999
Fresno, Calif. - It is easy to do something when no one is looking. There is no pressure. No glares from the audience and no awkward silence raining down from the stands.
But that will not be the case for sophomore wide receiver Charles Smith this fall. Bursting on to the college football landscape last season by leading the Bulldogs in receptions, yards receiving and touchdown receptions, Smith no longer has an ally in anonymity. With the intense scrutiny that comes from the spotlight, great things are expected from the young wide out this fall. The Sporting News, Athlon and Lindy?s college football previews all penciled Smith in with preseason All-WAC honors.
"I know a lot of people have high expectations for me," Smith said. "But I?m just going to go out there and do what I can do and everything should fall into place." Now returning for his first full run as the Bulldogs? No. 1 split end, Smith says an evolutionary ? not revolutionary ? change is under way in his attempt to further improve his skills and make the progression in his development.
"I have more confidence now than last year," Smith said. "I?m learning the college game a whole lot more now. I have the experience of the games, so I know the defenses better. I know the routes better, and I?m stronger. It?s different from high school. In college, it?s so much more of a faster pace and that takes time to get adjusted to."
But last year Smith appeared to be ahead of the learning curve when one year removed from high school, the redshirt freshman dazzled the Red Wave with catch after catch. Looking back upon last season, Smith says he believes it was only the tip of the ice burg concerning his potential and his future in a Bulldog uniform.
"Last year I felt that I did all right," Smith said. "I really didn?t prove anything to myself ? I knew I could do all that. But, I still have go out there and prove to myself this year that I can continue to improve."
Improvement is one thing, but expected to be "the guy" to get the ball when it takes flight is quite another. With his blazing speed and elusive running style, Smith is the focal point in Bulldogs? receiving corp. "I?m not scared of being the go-to guy. That?s what I?m here for," Smith said. "But I?m just one player on the team. If I can help them out, then it?s fine. It?s really not me being the go-to player, but as much me just doing my job. If I do that, we?re going to be all right."
But like most plans, Smith understand that not every one is executed smoothly and perfect seasons for a player ? much less a team are nearly impossible. Hoping that heralded quarterback Billy Volek spreads the wealth with his right arm, Smith knows his teammates can pickup the slack if he falls short.
"Last year?s TCU and San Jose State games, I struggled," Smith said. "But Billy (Volek) got to the other guys. I?m never going to win a game or lose a game on my own. We got a lot of guys who can help out."
Not wanting to not live up to the lofty expectations set by coaches and himself, Smith prepared for this season with constant training and weight work. The Union City native spent the summer in Fresno working with his teammates to be in better tune with them once the season began.
"Billy (Volek) and the rest of the wide outs, we threw almost everyday," Smith said. "Our communication level is up, so we are ready to go."
If Smith continues to flourish in a Bulldog uniform this fall ? and with All-WAC honored Billy Volek throwing him the ball ? Smith should have no trouble with realizing all those lofty expectations according to head coach Pat Hill.
"What makes him special is his ability to make plays," Hill said. "He can make people miss, and he?s exciting. A very physical receiver for his size, he?s very competitive. He?s just a great big-play guy for us, and the best part is we have him for three more years."
Fred Shank
