Published on Tuesday, September 11, 2007 in The Miami Herald
Miramar QB Smith is 'something special'
BY BOB EMANUEL JR.
Even though he did not possess any experience as a quarterback, Anthony Sellers recognized his nephew's special abilities.
Rather than allow him to play in pee-wee leagues that might stunt his growth as a quarterback, Sellers traveled to different parks with Eugene Smith and directed him through various passing drills.
''He didn't go out and play Little League Football at an early age,'' Sellers said. ``We waited until he was 10 years old to put him out there on the field. I knew around 8 that he could be something special.''
Now, nearly 10 years later, Sellers' vision of Smith as an elite quarterbacks is coming to fruition.
Smith, who threw for 284 yards and five touchdowns on 15-of-21 passing in a 48-20 victory against Miami Pace last Friday, entered the 2007 football season as one of the most highly recruited junior quarterbacks in the nation.
''He can be the best quarterback to ever come out of Broward or Dade County,'' said first-year Miramar coach Damon Cogdell, who was the team's defensive coordinator the past four seasons. ``A lot of kids compare him to [Jacory Harris] from Northwestern, but I think he's better by far.''
GROWING UP
Smith, 6-3 and 185 pounds, remembers getting exposed to football at a young age.
He would watch Troy Aikman direct the Dallas Cowboys' high-powered offense year after year.
Even though Hall of Fame receiver Michael Irvin and future Hall of Fame back Emmitt Smith commanded attention, Aikman was the centerpiece.
''I used to watch a lot of football and see the quarterback is usually the one who was the leader of the team,'' Smith said.
''They were usually the one that would take the blame after a loss, but also the one who would get a lot of credit after a win as well. I felt like I could be that person to take the blame and recognition and still be humble at the same time,'' Smith said.
Smith believed his attitude was perfect for the role.
''I started playing quarterback around 6 or 7 years old,'' said Smith, who studied John Elway, Tom Brady and Chris Leak. ``It was a position I wanted to play because I've always been a leader. I felt I really gained a passion for quarterback at around 12.''
Smith plied his trade during middle school and entered high school determined to make an instant impact.
''Coming out of eighth grade, I felt like I had the talent to come into any school and start as a freshman,'' he said. ``I knew being a starter for four years could guarantee me a D-I scholarship as long as I had my grades right and my SAT scores.''
MIRAMAR SUCCESS
Smith, who runs a 4.7 in the 40-yard dash, emerged as a starter for part of his freshman season with the Patriots. He was the unquestioned starter as a sophomore, and his skills are constantly improving.
''He can read the field a lot better and his arm is a lot stronger,'' Miramar senior linebacker Corey Tate said.
Cogdell said Smith's whole approach is better than the past.
''Gino is very poised,'' he said. ``You can tell the maturity level from his first year to this year. He's much more calm, much more relaxed, going to class on time, pants up on his waist, not below his butt.
``He's showing leadership. Before it was a lot of seniors, always in his ear, telling him,
`Throw me the ball. Throw me the ball.'
``Now, he's more of a take-charge guy. We're working with a young offensive line. Normally, he'd be frustrated. But, he's trying to mold them into what we're trying to get accomplished.''
Smith prefers the role of facilitator, the guys responsible for keeping his teammates involved.
''He spreads the ball,'' said receiver Marco Archer, who caught two touchdown passes against Pace. ``Everybody touches the ball. He's an accurate quarterback.''
THE FUTURE
Smith's play already is attracting college scouts.
On one day last week, Smith said he received 13 to 14 letters from interested schools.
''It really feels good just to get letters,'' Smith said. ``You're feeling like you're a good player and all your hard work has been paying off.''
He figures to attract even more attention next summer with his attendance at various collegiate camps, something he has already done.
''He went to West Virginia's camp [this summer] and killed it,'' Cogdell said. ``He was the best quarterback. He got the MVP award at West Virginia. He's the ideal quarterback
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