August 16, 2015
Aaron Suttles
TideSports.com Senior Writer
Maurice Smith was a big signee in the class of 2013 for the University of Alabama.
Not only was Smith one of only two classified defensive backs (Anthony Averett was signed as an athlete), he was a high-profile target landed from the state of Texas, a state where it's tough to pry a student-athlete away from the Longhorns or Aggies.
Entering his junior season, Smith has contributed as a nickel defensive back, but this year he's ready to prove his worth through his willingness to play any position.
The 6-foot, 199-pounder plays all over the secondary. He's a corner and a safety and he can also play the nickel and dime positions. Basically he's a do-it-all member of a secondary eager to show it's turned the corner after a couple of unusual inconsistent seasons.
He's the type of player Nick Saban highlights when mentioning how much he likes a team's attitude, with a desire to put the team first by putting selfishness aside.
"Wherever coach Saban wants me," Smith said.
He learned a great deal from Jarrick Williams, a defensive back at UA from 2010-14 who helped set an example on how to practice to Smith. Williams also played multiple roles in the secondary.
"He taught me how to fight through practice when you're playing multiple positions and you're tired," Smith said. "At the end of the day it just makes us better as a team."
A new position coach has helped re-energize him, too. First-year secondary coach Mel Tucker earned instant respect due to his background.
"He's an NFL coach, basically," Smith said. "He coaches us very hard. He gets straight to it. He doesn't like any playing, but at the same time he does have a good personality. We joke. He's a funny guy.
"He's brought new techniques for corners and safeties. We're seeing coach Saban's side of it and we're seeing coach Tucker's side. Having two geniuses in the same room is a big deal."
Smith is one reason why there is renewed optimism for a secondary looking to rebound. He adds depth and experience to a young group.
He was one of several defensive backs Saban mentioned after the scrimmage Saturday.
"Mo plays all over the place. He plays corner, plays star, he plays money," Saban said. "He's always been a little bit of a guy who was such a worrier about doing his job right, and now he's sort of over that because he has a lot of confidence how he does his job.
"I think he's playing with a lot more confidence and has a lot better understanding and he's having a good camp so far."
https://alabama.rivals.com/content.asp?CID=1792943
Aaron Suttles
TideSports.com Senior Writer
Maurice Smith was a big signee in the class of 2013 for the University of Alabama.
Not only was Smith one of only two classified defensive backs (Anthony Averett was signed as an athlete), he was a high-profile target landed from the state of Texas, a state where it's tough to pry a student-athlete away from the Longhorns or Aggies.
Entering his junior season, Smith has contributed as a nickel defensive back, but this year he's ready to prove his worth through his willingness to play any position.
The 6-foot, 199-pounder plays all over the secondary. He's a corner and a safety and he can also play the nickel and dime positions. Basically he's a do-it-all member of a secondary eager to show it's turned the corner after a couple of unusual inconsistent seasons.
He's the type of player Nick Saban highlights when mentioning how much he likes a team's attitude, with a desire to put the team first by putting selfishness aside.
"Wherever coach Saban wants me," Smith said.
He learned a great deal from Jarrick Williams, a defensive back at UA from 2010-14 who helped set an example on how to practice to Smith. Williams also played multiple roles in the secondary.
"He taught me how to fight through practice when you're playing multiple positions and you're tired," Smith said. "At the end of the day it just makes us better as a team."
A new position coach has helped re-energize him, too. First-year secondary coach Mel Tucker earned instant respect due to his background.
"He's an NFL coach, basically," Smith said. "He coaches us very hard. He gets straight to it. He doesn't like any playing, but at the same time he does have a good personality. We joke. He's a funny guy.
"He's brought new techniques for corners and safeties. We're seeing coach Saban's side of it and we're seeing coach Tucker's side. Having two geniuses in the same room is a big deal."
Smith is one reason why there is renewed optimism for a secondary looking to rebound. He adds depth and experience to a young group.
He was one of several defensive backs Saban mentioned after the scrimmage Saturday.
"Mo plays all over the place. He plays corner, plays star, he plays money," Saban said. "He's always been a little bit of a guy who was such a worrier about doing his job right, and now he's sort of over that because he has a lot of confidence how he does his job.
"I think he's playing with a lot more confidence and has a lot better understanding and he's having a good camp so far."
https://alabama.rivals.com/content.asp?CID=1792943
