Joe Gaiter: What does football mean to you?
Isaiah Smith: Football is an amazing experience and more than just a game to me. It has helped shaped me into the person I am on and off the field. It allowed me to become more social and being a leader to others.
Joe Gaiter: When did you fall in-love with player football?
Isaiah Smith: I fell in love with football when I was young around 4th/5th grade when I was having family and behavior issues. It was my outlet and made me want to a change the things I did and the people around me.
Joe Gaiter: What are your fondest memories of North Central High School?
Isaiah Smith: I used to be called a “Freak Athlete” there. I played both sides of the ball a few times. The experience of just being the best athlete I could be was most memorable.
Joe Gaiter: What made you choose Central State?
Isaiah Smith: They gave me the best offer and it was close to home. They also were rebuilding the program with a new coaching staff so I wanted to be apart of that.
Joe Gaiter: What were your stats this year?
Isaiah Smith: Coming off of an injury it wasn’t my best season but I Punted: 1872 yards had 34 tackles 3 TFL 3 Sacks 1 FR.
Joe Gaiter: The Marauders were 3-7 this year. What went wrong?
Isaiah Smith: Honestly players not being fully committed and we also lost a lot of players due to paper work being messed up within our athletic department and NCAA.
Joe Gaiter: What makes you a great LB/DB?
Isaiah Smith: My versatility and aggressiveness in both of those positions. I can play run, drop into zone and play man coverage well.
Joe Gaiter: How vital are you on special Teams
Isaiah Smith: I would consider myself very vital and my teammates/coaches would too I have received special teams awards, forced fumbles, and blocked kicks during my time at Central State. If any Professional Coach needed a player to make a play on special teams, I would be the lottery pick.
Joe Gaiter: Are you at your athletic peak?
Isaiah Smith: No, I am not at my athletic peak yet I still have a lot of growth and more to improve to make me better.
Joe Gaiter: What is your untold story?
Isaiah Smith: Football has been the change of my life I had different family, behavioral, spiritual/life issues going on when I was young. I had bad grades and I was in different situations I shouldn’t have been in. Investing my time and my mind to becoming better in football has helped me to being better for myself and others. Although I only got to play in 5th grade, and my last 2 years of high school football has impacted me as a person on and off the field. It has turned my life around and since And now I’m in a crazy position I’ve always dreamed of.
Joe Gaiter: What is your major and how do you plan on using it?
Isaiah Smith: My major is physical education with a minor in biology. I plan on working within an athletic department or sports administration for a college one day.
Joe Gaiter: Tell me about your HBCU Bowl experience?
Isaiah Smith: Great experience. It was a combine/Bowl Game. As soon as I got there the interview begins. The scouts watch what you do, what you say, and how you carry yourself. I spoke to a few teams and they said they liked my performance and told me stuff I need to work on also.
