Chaney High graduate takes success in stride

The Missouri quarterback was honored by the Fellowship of Christian Athletes.
& lt;a href=mailto:scalzo@vindy.com & gt;By JOE SCALZO & lt;/a & gt;
VINDICATOR SPORTS STAFF
YOUNGSTOWN -- Missouri quarterback Brad Smith was signing autographs at a table inside the Maronite Center on Friday when he was asked if he likes being famous.
"Aw, I'm not famous," he said with a smile.
Is he serious?
Hasn't he noticed the attention from fans? The record-breaking performances? The Heisman Trophy candidacy? The "SportsCenter" highlights?
"It's weird," the Chaney High graduate admitted. "But I don't pay attention to that stuff too much. I just try to go out and win football games. That's the main thing."
Did we mention he's humble, too?
"He's talented, but I think the first thing you notice about him is his attitude," Missouri coach Gary Pinkel said. "He's a great kid."
Eye for quarterbacks
Pinkel, who was one of the few Division I coaches to recruit Smith, coached six future NFL quarterbacks when he was offensive coordinator at Washington, including standouts such as Mark Brunell and Chris Chandler.
"I remember after he had his official visit as a senior, I went up to our quarterbacks coach, Dave Yost, and said, 'Is he too nice?' " Pinkel said with a smile. "As a quarterback, you need to be sort of a gladiator.
"But when you get that helmet on Brad, the guy becomes a gladiator."
Smith, who was honored by the Steel Valley Fellowship of Christian Athletes at Friday's spring banquet, started as a redshirt freshman in 2002, becoming just the second Division I-A player in history to throw for 2,000 yards and rush for 1,000 yards.
He broke Missouri's career rushing record last season and should be a Heisman Trophy candidate this fall.
"We started him on a national TV game against Illinois as a redshirt freshman and I actually chose him over a three-year starter," said Pinkel, a Kent State graduate. "I felt he had all the right stuff to succeed."
Did he think he'd be that good, that fast?
"Was it a surprise? Yes," Pinkel said. "But in a few years, he can be as good as anybody. We're just scratching the surface of what he can do."
Homecoming
Smith, for his part, is just taking things in stride. He said he didn't expect Friday's award and was just grateful for the chance to come back to Youngstown.
"It's good to see all my coaches and my family," Smith said. "I'm glad to be home."
Smith credits his faith for helping him develop into the player -- and the person -- he's become.
"It's everything," he said. "I just try to live my life for God and everything else falls into place.
"I think anytime kids see someone from the area doing well, they see what's possible. Whenever you see someone doing the right things, I think it's encouraging."
As for next season, Smith hasn't set any personal goals. He's too focused on winning.
"Right now the goal is to win games," Smith said. "I want to win as many games as possible and play to the best of my ability and bring out the best in my teammates.
"If that happens, I'll be happy."
& lt;a href=mailto:scalzok@vindy.com & gt;scalzo@vindy.com & lt;/a & gt;