STARKVILLE – After growing up in the shadow of nearby Atlanta, Georgia native Preston Smith was watching closely when bowl selections were made this season.
Knowing his Mississippi State team was in line for one of six prestigious bowls, the Bulldogs’ defensive end figured it would come down to the Peach Bowl in Atlanta or the Orange Bowl in Miami.
Though he’s a native of Stone Mountain, Georgia, Smith found himself rooting hard for Miami.
“I love home,” said Smith. “But there’s something about Miami. I’ve been to Miami one time, on spring break, and I really loved the atmosphere. It’s one of those places you wish you stayed longer.”
Smith got his wish, as the Bulldogs will play in the Orange Bowl on Dec. 31, and their opponent is another slice of home for the 6-foot-6, 267-pounder. The Bulldogs will meet Georgia Tech, a team from just down the road from Smith’s boyhood home. Growing up near Atlanta, Smith was close enough to attend games at nearby Georgia Tech. He just didn’t want to.
“I really grew up more of a University of Georgia fan,” said Smith. “I just like the color scheme and the mascot a little better. Nothing against Georgia Tech, I just liked Georgia a little better.”
But ask Smith about Georgia Tech now, and he gets a little more serious. That’s because, according to him, Georgia Tech never noticed when he blossomed into a three-star prospect on the defensive line, as he eventually chose MSU after not receiving a scholarship offer from either in-state school.
When No. 7 MSU takes on No. 12 Georgia Tech in less than two weeks at the Capital One Orange Bowl, Smith plans to let the Yellow Jackets know that he remembers.
“Georgia Tech never really paid me a lot of attention,” said Smith, who signed with MSU in 2011. “I think they already had all the guys they wanted, so they never offered. This will be a game for me to show what they missed out on.”
In Smith, the Yellow Jackets missed out on plenty. After recording 6.5 career sacks in his first three seasons, Smith exploded in 2014, leading MSU with nine sacks and 14.5 tackles for loss. He also delivered two interceptions, two blocked field goals and a team-leading three forced fumbles.
Due to his blossoming game, Smith finds himself flying up NFL Draft boards as recent projections, like the one at ESPN.com, have him pegged as a second round draft prospect.
To his coaches, it’s a well-deserved honor.
“Something clicked with him in the offseason,” said MSU coach Dan Mullen of Smith earlier this season. “A lot of times, these seniors can see the clock ticking, they know their time will be up soon. Some guys will take that and turn their game up a notch, and he’s one of those guys.”
Smith was dominant from the outset this season, reeling in Southeastern Conference Offensive Lineman of the Week honors in each of the first three weeks of the campaign.
Mullen says Smith achieved those accomplishments through hard work, a fact not lost on his teammates.
“Preston is a great player,” said MSU defensive end Ryan Brown. “He comes to work every single day and he has built himself into one of the best players in the league. I’ll be curious to watch where he goes in the NFL Draft, because I want to follow in his footsteps.”
First things first. While Smith will immediately being preparing for the Senior Bowl and the NFL Draft Combine after the season ends, the Bulldogs still have unfinished business in Miami, where they will face a Georgia Tech offense that ranked No. 3 in the country in rushing yards gained. For Smith, it’s a unique challenge.
“It’s a lot of trickery going on,” said Smith. “You’ve just go to be disciplined with your eyes, and play your keys. And just play hard and be sound. Just play straight technique and don’t do anything special, or they’ll have a big day out of you in their running game.”
For Smith, the chance to play in the Orange Bowl is an opportunity to play in a professional team’s stadium. It won’t be his last.
“It feels great to play in a pro stadium,” said Smith. “Who knows? I might land in Miami in the league. But I really just want to go out there and put on a great game for this crowd that is going to be down there, all the fans that are going to travel to see it. And hopefully some NFL scouts will be there to see the game, maybe, maybe not. But I’m just going to go out there and play hard for my team and end the season on a great note.”
Follow Dispatch Sports Writer Brandon Walker on Twitter @BWonStateBeat
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