UNC football's first-year linebacker Andre Smith ‘a special talent’

North Carolina first-year linebacker Andre Smith doesn’t change gears. When it comes to his approach on the football field, there’s only one speed — “fast and furious.”

Through the first three games of his career, Smith’s consistent level of play has garnered praise from coaches and teammates. But if there’s one aspect of college football he has yet to adjust to, it’s the part he dreads the most — TV timeouts.

“If you’re waiting on kickoff or you’re waiting to go in, and the dude with the red hat, you just have to sit there and wait on him,” said Smith referring to TV timeout coordinators.

“It kind of drops the adrenaline.”

But Smith never lacks enthusiasm. Since enrolling at UNC this spring, his incessant work ethic has earned him a spot in the Tar Heels’ linebacker rotation and, most recently, the first start of his career against Illinois.

The three-star recruit’s decision to enroll early proved crucial. If not for the extra practice time, he says he might have been redshirted this season.

As an inside linebacker, Smith is tasked with directing the defense.

Whether it’s been in film sessions or summer 7-on-7 competitions, the attentive first-year has pressed to grasp the Tar Heels’ system and capitalize on his head start.

“He was always in my ear asking (questions). And then I would go out of my way, because I saw the talent he has,” said redshirt senior linebacker Jeff Schoettmer.

“He’s going to be a great player, and I saw that from day one. The thing that separates him from other freshmen is his intelligence level and how he picks up concepts. He’s going to be a special talent.”

But even the most gifted of players endure their battles — no matter how fast they learn and adjust. A lack of focus in the meeting room and repeated errors on the practice field resulted in a rocky transition.

“In the spring and the beginning of fall camp I was struggling,” said Smith, who is 6 feet tall and 235 pounds.

“But (defensive coordinator Gene) Chizik talked bad to me one day, and he just told me I have all of the physical tools and that my focus was just horrible. So I took that personally. I just went in, started focusing more and being more of a mental giant than anything.”

The change has paid its dividends. With play time in all three of UNC’s games this season, Smith has recorded 10 tackles.

His teammates and coaches trust him to step in and contribute, despite his age. And with Smith’s first start at middle linebacker under his belt, Coach Larry Fedora expects Smith to maintain his rapid progress. It’s the only speed the first-year goes.

“We wanted to have some early opportunities to get him into some games to see if he could give (Schoettmer) a blow when we needed to,” Fedora said.

“He’s proven he’s one of the top three linebackers on the team right now.”

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