NORMAL — Tailback Markel Smith, Illinois State’s second-leading rusher the past two seasons, will not play his senior season as a Redbird, ISU coach Brock Spack said Wednesday.
“He’s going to finish his degree this (spring) semester and move on with his life,” Spack said. “I don’t know if he will be a graduate transfer or go out in the working world.”
The 5-foot-11, 230-pound Smith has alternated with James Robinson in the ISU backfield the past two seasons. Smith rushed for 581 yards in 2017 and 562 in 2018.
Smith was limited to special teams duties and did not receive a carry in the Redbirds’ season-ending win over Youngstown State as freshman walk-on Kevin Brown had a breakout game.