Every freshman wants to come in and immediately be incredible. It doesn’t always happen, of course, but sometimes it does. Even if James Smith doesn’t play what many would consider a premium position, he was one of those guys that dominated from the jump. Yes, you’d rather have a wide receiver or a defensive end breakout early, but having one of, if not the, best punter in the American Athletic Conference isn’t meaningless.
Smith, who is built like a small forward (6’5”, 225 pounds), hails from Wangaratta, Australia where American football is obviously not the biggest deal.