Once upon a time, well just 10 years ago in fact, De’Angelo Smith was one of the nation’s better cornerbacks as a standout at the University of Cincinnati.
Starting alongside teammate Mike Mickens, Smith was able to provide then UC head coach Brian Kelly with a pair of shutdown corners that helped the Bearcats forge an 11-3 season and a spot in the Orange Bowl.
“When I was playing there, I know the atmosphere was electric,” said Smith, now the second-year coach for the Ohio Bobcats’ cornerbacks. “It was fun to play in the Nip (Nippert Stadium).