Howland product in camp

By John Bassetti

Maurice Smith enters his first season in af2 after a successful open tryout.

NILES — Maurice Smith has been floating in football waters since playing at Michigan State and Youngstown State.

Adrift no more, the former Howland High standout running back is getting a crack at the pros.

“Let’s see what happens,” said Smith, after Thursday’s practice for the Mahoning Valley Thunder. “I’m going to give my best effort and see what the outcome is.”

Smith, 23, is one of two fullbacks in pre-season camp at the Ralph Infante Wellness Center where coach Mike Hold is supervising 30 hopefuls for the area’s af2 team.

Smith, who graduated from Howland in 2003 when he was the No. 2 fullback in Ohio, went to Michigan State for three years before transferring to YSU for two more.

He was recruited to play fullback by Bobby Williams, but when he was fired, John L. Smith replaced him and the fullbacks were moved to defense and utilized as ends or outside linebackers.

He played the same positions for the Penguins and, in 11 games as a senior, had 19 tackles and four sacks.

Maurice Smith insists that he was born in the backfield and belongs there.

“Thank God, I’m back at fullback, so we’ll see what happens.”

Currently, he’s one of two at the position, switching off every four plays with Stephen Kelly.

Maurice is one of two players in camp who survived an open tryout session held by the Thunder on Feb. 13. At that time, 35 to 40 candidates were tested. Frashon McGee is the other camper invited by the Thunder after the open tryout.

Not only is Maurice Smith close to his home in Howland, but he’s close to defenders on the 50-yard af2 field.

“It’s much different from fullback in the outdoor game. We have a lot of athletic linebackers, so it’s important for me to play harder and focus more. Now it’s not so much me running up and just trying to hit the guy. I’ve got to run up there and figure out what he’s going to do. I’ve got to think a little bit.”

If he gets the ball, the 6-2, 250 pounder has two options.

“Preferably, my first impulse is to run over a guy and keep going. If I get the ball and get into open field, no one’s going to catch me.”

After Williams, John L. Smith employed the spread offense like Rich Rodriguez has done at Michigan and took the fullback out.

“So you had to go play either linebacker or defensive end,” Maurice Smith said. “That set me back a little bit.”

Because of the switch, he left the Spartans for YSU.

“It was kind of the same thing, so I was kind of screwed, but now I’m indoor where they use the fullback, so I’m happy.”

Smith graduated from YSU in August, 2008 with a degree in criminal justice. He had a summer internship with his cousin Vince Peterson, a U.S. marshal, who formerly played at YSU (1983-85).

The Thunder wanted Smith as a linebacker, Maurice said, but he called coach Hold and emphasized that he was one of the country’s top fullbacks in high school.

“Could you give me a shot?” Smith said he asked. “He’s giving me a shot.”

Even though af2 features passing and the fullback role is more as blocker than runner, Smith is satisfied.

“I’d be happy being in backfield taking out the middle or blocking, whatever they want me to do.”

bassetti@vindy.com