Aug. 1, 2017
By Margaret Hurt
AuburnTigers.com
AUBURN, Ala. - For Jason Smith, a senior safety from Mobile, playing college football was not always his ultimate plan.
"I started off playing baseball first and then I played basketball, and then football ended up being last," says the junior college transfer, a former quarterback whose versatility includes position changes from quarterback to receiver to defensive back.
Smith's hard work and talent shined the brightest in the 2015 Iron Bowl when he caught a 77-yard touchdown pass from Jeremy Johnson, executing Auburn's longest offensive play of that season and what Smith says is his favorite memory so far playing for the Tigers.
"When I caught it, it was silent the whole time," Smith recalls. "During that whole process, it was silent and then when I caught it, and I was about to get in the end zone, then I heard everybody screaming."
During his time as a Tiger, Smith has found support from his teammates, particularly recent graduates Devaroe Lawrence and Marcus Davis.
"Marcus played the same position as me, so if something was going on at practice he was right there next to me saying, 'Calm down, it's alright,' and he'd just get me to focus on what's really at task. Don't take frustration out on anybody -- just focus on who you're doing it for."
Majoring in interdisciplinary studies, Smith works just as hard in the classroom as he does on the field, making the SEC Academic Honor Roll for the first time this past school year. "That was my first academic award for real," Smith says. "So I was psyched to see that.
"Knowing that I'm graduating soon -- getting ready for the real world! -- is a big step and I think Auburn has helped me get ready for that challenge."
Smith says some of the things he'll miss most about Auburn once he graduates are the traditions, the fans and the Auburn Family.
"I've got a bond with a lot of guys and have learned a lot of things from them coming through Auburn," Smith says. "Just the traditions, just the fans and how nice the people are around here.
"I think a lot of colleges don't have what we have, the love and the care that these people have around here."
The soon-to-be SEC graduate wouldn't change anything about his past two years on The Plains, confident in his decision to attend Auburn and the experience he has had here. To the fans who will be cheering him on in the fall in his last season as a Tiger, Smith says, "I love you and War Eagle!"
Margaret Hurt is a student assistant in Auburn Athletics Communications