South Guy
Posted on May 18, 2023 by Alumni
After four years as a walk-on at the University of South 青涩直播, Reggie Smith finally earned a starting position 鈥� and full scholarship 鈥� for what turned out to be a stunning 10-3 season ending with the Jaguars playing in a bowl game.
鈥淭his is like a dream come true,鈥� said the senior from Pensacola, Florida. 鈥淥f all the teams playing Division I football, only 13 had 10 wins this year, and we were one of them. We鈥檙e riding high. It鈥檚 been so much fun.鈥�
A final treat for Jaguar players and fans came with the R+L Carriers New Orleans Bowl in the Superdome on Dec. 21.
Smith, 23, has teammates who were in junior high school five years ago. That鈥檚 when he began his football career at South. The Jaguars had a losing record and played in old Ladd- Peebles Stadium near downtown Mobile. He was an undisciplined teenager with a lot to learn.
鈥淚 was kind of a goofball, trying to make everyone laugh,鈥� he said. 鈥淣ow I鈥檓 more serious.鈥�
Now the Jaguars play in brand-new Hancock Whitney Stadium on the South campus in west Mobile. Now Head Coach Kane Wommack has begun a new era. Now the football program has grown up just as Smith did.
Gordon Steele, offensive line coach for the Jaguars, knows what he has at right guard.
鈥淚t helps that Reggie has been here so long,鈥� Steele said. 鈥淗e carries himself like an adult. He鈥檚 totally bought into what we鈥檙e trying to do here. And he鈥檚 a South guy through and through.鈥�
Smith, who plans to graduate this spring, is majoring in leisure studies and thinking about becoming a football coach. He spends long hours each week training and practicing. Then he watches film of games and practices.
At South, Smith has matured as a student, too. He鈥檚 more disciplined and focused. He has a favorite instructor, Leigh Delaney-Tucker, in the biology department.
鈥淚f the game鈥檚 not fun, there鈥檚 no sense playing it.鈥濃�揓AMES JACKSON
鈥淪he makes class so enjoyable,鈥� he said. 鈥淎nd she鈥檚 probably the nicest person on the planet. She enjoys her career and makes it fun for us, too.鈥�
James Jackson, who plays center on the Jaguar offensive line, calls Smith one of the most outgoing members of the football team. In and around the locker room, he talks and jokes with everyone. He鈥檚 also a student of the game.
鈥淩eggie鈥檚 probably one of the smartest offensive linemen we have,鈥� Jackson said. 鈥淗e knows what everyone does on every play, even the backs and receivers. The whole offense. It鈥檚 crazy.鈥�
During a game, Smith and Jackson line up side by side. They share victories and defeats, touchdowns and turnovers. Competition is fierce, but there are light moments.
鈥淲e鈥檒l be running down the field on a screen and be talking and laughing about something,鈥� Jackson said with a grin. 鈥淚f the game鈥檚 not fun, there鈥檚 no sense playing it.鈥�
Smith grew up in Pensacola and attended Escambia High School. He loved playing football, like his father and grandfather before him.
His mother, Teresa Smith, is a registered nurse. His father, Reginald Smith II, works in construction. He helped build Stokes Hall on the South campus.
That鈥檚 where his son lived for three years while working and waiting for his turn to play for the Jaguars. 鈥淗e鈥檚 never been a quitter,鈥� said Reginald Smith. 鈥淗e took this opportunity to walk on and try to earn a scholarship. I told him whatever you decide, that鈥檚 fine with me.鈥�
The younger Smith 鈥� Reginald Smith III 鈥� enjoys having his parents in the stands at Jaguar games each Saturday.
鈥淭hey鈥檙e super fans,鈥� he said. 鈥淭hey even went to the UCLA game at the Rose Bowl out in California. At home games, they sit in Section 304 and they usually have my 3-year-old nephew. I always look up at them. Sometimes they come down to the wall and give me a high-five.鈥� Smith thinks that UCLA game, which South lost 32-31, helped the Jaguars build a winning season.
鈥淲e should have won that game and that was good for our confidence,鈥� he said. 鈥淭hat鈥檚 when we knew we were a good team.鈥�
Smith is already thinking about returning to South for a sixth season, thanks to an NCAA rule that allows an exemption for the season marred by the coronavirus pandemic. In the meantime, he鈥檚 savoring this season. The South team has earned a place in Jaguar football history.
During an interview in the athletic department offices, Smith admired the view looking down on the field at Hancock Whitney Stadium. It offered a different perspective. Sometimes he sounded like an alumnus planning Saturday nights in the future.
鈥淚 can鈥檛 wait,鈥� he said, 鈥渢o come back here and watch a game.鈥�