Aggies Ainias Smith On Spring Game, 'It Felt Real Good!'
Ainias Smith's season ended prematurely last season after an injury against Arkansas in Week 4. After being rolled up on while blocking downfield, Smith had to be helped off the field. Later, the diagnosis of a broken leg would end his season for good.
But Smith is back for 2023, and sees tremendous strides in the direction of the offense under new offensive coordinator Bobby Petrino.
"When he came in he was very quiet at first, he was very soft-spoken, but he definitely knew exactly what he wanted. ... Finishing, playing with speed, making sure we're coming off the ball everywhere. Making sure we're playing with intensity and making sure we have some 'want to' out there and make it seem like we actually want to win."
Smith was also excited to get back out on the field after being sidelined most of last season.
"I wish I didn't have that yellow jersey on, but it felt real good. I've been out there practicing again, and being at Kyle Field in a game-like environment. ... Going out there competing, finding a tempo with the offense ... it felt real good."
The quarterback position was a point of contention last season as starter Haynes King struggled all year. And when backup Max Johnson substituted, he too, struggled at times. But Smith sees a bright future at the quarterback position this year.
"Connecting downfield is one area they both have improved in. They were both already great at that, but it's starting to look a little more consistent, I'd say. Just voicing their opinions and voicing how the team should be going, I think that has improved a whole lot this year ... and the 'want to' and attitude they have toward winning has improved."
Smith thinks versatility at the wideout position could help not just the QB position, but the entire offense heading into 2023.
"All of us are a deep threat in our own way, any one of us can go deep on a fade ball, post ball, inside fade, it doesn't really matter. With all of us having different talents and different ways we can get the ball, I think we definitely complement each other."
Smith is one of the veteran leaders for the Aggies entering 2023, and he sees this spring as special.
"This is probably one of the most interesting springs I've went through, just because of how fun it was. We were out there every day competing, even on the weekends. Most of the time people don't want to wake up and go out there and practice in the heat, or some days it was cold out there. Even when people didn't want to be out there we were getting in great quality work on offense and defense. ... This year has definitely been very hopeful."
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