Smiley’s coaches say the redshirt sophomore has handled the role well so far.
“He’s doing well. A.J.’s long and athletic. He’s got some skills and abilities that translate well to that position and what we do with it,” Troy linebackers coach Jon Sumrall said. “He’s mentally learning. There’s a decent amount of carryover from that spear, or nickel position, to the Will linebacker stuff we do, especially in the (pass) coverage standpoint.”
Sumrall said Smiley played safety primarily at Spain Park High School in Hoover, which led coaches to try him at spear his freshman year.