Under the Helmet: O.J. Smith
FOOTBALL | 8/30/2018 9:29:00 AM
All the Gophers are ready to to walk out of the tunnel and get to work this evening, but one in particular has been waiting just a little longer. O.J. Smithsaw limited action at Alabama in three years before transferring to Minnesota last season. He had to sit out all of 2017 due to NCAA transfer rules but has been granted a sixth year of eligibility and will have two seasons to play for the Maroon and Gold. Smith was a four-star defensive tackle coming out of high school and was a 2014 Under Armour All-American. He is listed as one of Minnesota's starting defensive lineman on the depth chart heading into Thursday evening. We caught up with him at the start of camp:
Gopher Sports: What are you most looking forward to for this upcoming season?
O.J. Smith: Actually playing. I haven't in a couple years so it will be nice just to play.
GS: What is the best part about being on this team?
OS: The best part of the team is the team chemistry honestly. Everybody is very close to everybody. There is no lagging around by anybody. We all have fun together.
GS: What skills did you work on during your redshirt season in 2017?
OS: This last season I worked on the playbook, learning what I need to do. It is very hard coming to a new program off another program's defense. So I have just been working on the playbook a lot.
GS: Why did you pick Minnesota?
OS: Coach Fleck. Definitely Coach Fleck. His energy, his vibe, the team vibe, the team chemistry that he wanted. I saw that and I took it.
GS: How has the team and staff helped you adjust to the Minnesota football culture?
OS: I think they helped me a lot. Being that we all are one and the culture here is family. I think they helped me a lot. The coaches are nice and easy to get along with as well.
GS: What is your favorite phrase from the team's culture?
OS: Elite. It means more than great, so whatever great is, more than that.
GS: What are some personal goals you have set for yourself for this season?
OS: Some goals I have set for myself this season is to have a lot of tackles for loss, beat some top teams in TCF Bank Stadium and to have a great season.
GS: What do you enjoy doing in your free time?
OS: I'm an outdoor type of person, so either hunting or fishing but I also enjoy playing Playstation.
GS: Do you have a favorite video game you like to play?
OS: Not one favorite right now. Need For Speed and Fortnite are up there.
GS: If you were trapped on an elevator all day, which teammate would you choose to be stuck with?
OS: I'll go with Ben Davis because he is just funny like that. I know time will pass by with him.
GS: Q'doba or Chipotle?
OS: Chipotle all the way. I go double chicken and I get a straight bowl.
GS: Do you have any pregame superstitions or rituals?
OS: Not really, I just put on my pants and my cleats and I pray at the 50.
GS: Do you listen to any music to get pumped up?
OS: All my go-to songs are from Louisiana rappers so I know most people wouldn't know who they are, but Kevin Gates is my favorite.
https://gophersports.com/news/2018/8/30/football-under-the-helmet-o-j-smith.aspx
FOOTBALL | 8/30/2018 9:29:00 AM
All the Gophers are ready to to walk out of the tunnel and get to work this evening, but one in particular has been waiting just a little longer. O.J. Smithsaw limited action at Alabama in three years before transferring to Minnesota last season. He had to sit out all of 2017 due to NCAA transfer rules but has been granted a sixth year of eligibility and will have two seasons to play for the Maroon and Gold. Smith was a four-star defensive tackle coming out of high school and was a 2014 Under Armour All-American. He is listed as one of Minnesota's starting defensive lineman on the depth chart heading into Thursday evening. We caught up with him at the start of camp:
Gopher Sports: What are you most looking forward to for this upcoming season?
O.J. Smith: Actually playing. I haven't in a couple years so it will be nice just to play.
GS: What is the best part about being on this team?
OS: The best part of the team is the team chemistry honestly. Everybody is very close to everybody. There is no lagging around by anybody. We all have fun together.
GS: What skills did you work on during your redshirt season in 2017?
OS: This last season I worked on the playbook, learning what I need to do. It is very hard coming to a new program off another program's defense. So I have just been working on the playbook a lot.
GS: Why did you pick Minnesota?
OS: Coach Fleck. Definitely Coach Fleck. His energy, his vibe, the team vibe, the team chemistry that he wanted. I saw that and I took it.
GS: How has the team and staff helped you adjust to the Minnesota football culture?
OS: I think they helped me a lot. Being that we all are one and the culture here is family. I think they helped me a lot. The coaches are nice and easy to get along with as well.
GS: What is your favorite phrase from the team's culture?
OS: Elite. It means more than great, so whatever great is, more than that.
GS: What are some personal goals you have set for yourself for this season?
OS: Some goals I have set for myself this season is to have a lot of tackles for loss, beat some top teams in TCF Bank Stadium and to have a great season.
GS: What do you enjoy doing in your free time?
OS: I'm an outdoor type of person, so either hunting or fishing but I also enjoy playing Playstation.
GS: Do you have a favorite video game you like to play?
OS: Not one favorite right now. Need For Speed and Fortnite are up there.
GS: If you were trapped on an elevator all day, which teammate would you choose to be stuck with?
OS: I'll go with Ben Davis because he is just funny like that. I know time will pass by with him.
GS: Q'doba or Chipotle?
OS: Chipotle all the way. I go double chicken and I get a straight bowl.
GS: Do you have any pregame superstitions or rituals?
OS: Not really, I just put on my pants and my cleats and I pray at the 50.
GS: Do you listen to any music to get pumped up?
OS: All my go-to songs are from Louisiana rappers so I know most people wouldn't know who they are, but Kevin Gates is my favorite.
https://gophersports.com/news/2018/8/30/football-under-the-helmet-o-j-smith.aspx
