tigertales
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 Auburn Report: Big JUCO nose tackle lands on the Plains
AUBURN -- Greg Smith has arrived. And he's bigger than ever. The 6-foot-3 noseguard, a junior-college standout who signed with Auburn in February, finally earned academic clearance Wednesday morning.
He enrolled immediately, attended classes, met his new teammates and appeared larger than his listed weight of 315 pounds. Smith will participate in his first workout this morning. Auburn is switching to early practices on Tuesdays and Thursdays this season to help accommodate the players' class schedules.
Smith helped Northeast Mississippi rank fourth in the nation in total defense (186.9 yards per game) and rushing defense (59 yards per game). Aubur coach Tommy Tuberville mentioned there might be a possibility that Smith could redshirt this season depending on his physical condition.
The Tigers did not practice Wednesday.
-- Jay G. Tatehttp://www.montgomeryadvertiser.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060817/SPORTS/608170356/1002
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8/17/2006, 8:21 pm
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tigertales
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Re: Auburn Report: Big JUCO nose tackle lands on the Plains
Auburn's newest defensive lineman a wide load
JOHN ZENOR
Associated Press
AUBURN, Ala. - Greg Smith made a big impression on his new Auburn teammates and coaches.
Really big.
The Tigers' newest defensive lineman finally was able to practice with the team Thursday after two years of junior college and several months of academic uncertainty.
And it only looked like the 6-foot-3, 345-pounder with the massive upper body was in full gear.
"He had on his jersey and we thought he had on shoulder pads," defensive end Quentin Groves said. "He's quick to be so big, too."
"That's the biggest back I've ever seen. He's huge," defensive tackles coach Don Dunn said.
Beyond that, Dunn is taking a wait-and-see approach on the prized signee.
Smith missed the team's voluntary summer workouts and the first two weeks of practices, leaving him plenty of catching up to do with his teammates before the season opener Sept. 2 against Washington State.
"He's got a long way to go. He just got here," Dunn said. "His head's swimming. He's got class. He's got a lot of things on his mind. He's not in great shape. But we knew that. He did some good things early. You can tell he's athletic, he's explosive, he's big. Time will tell. We've got to get him in shape and ready to play."
He has already overcome some pretty large obstacles just to join the team.
Smith signed with Auburn out of Tyner High School in Chattanooga, Tenn., but didn't qualify academically. He re-signed after playing two seasons for Northeast Mississippi Junior College, and had planned to enroll in January.
Then, a junior college official called and told him he needed eight more credit hours to become eligible. He took classes at Chattanooga State, then had to be cleared by university President Ed Richardson and Southeastern Conference Commissioner Mike Slive under new league transfer rules.
Smith reported on Wednesday, the first day of classes.
"I'm glad to finally be here," he said. "I worked real hard to get here. People tried to mess me up, but I stuck with it."
Smith said he probably needs to shed some 15 pounds to get into playing shape, but believes he will see action in the opener.
"I will play against Washington State," he said. "I expect to play."
Dunn and coach Tommy Tuberville are more reserved in their predictions, saying he'll need time to learn the system and get in playing shape.
"I can see him having an opportunity to come out and help, but he's not going to be a major part of our team probably for five or six games," Tuberville said.
Smith, who is expected to play noseguard, was rated one of the top junior college prospects after last season. He's described as a bigger version of last season's starting noseguard Tommy Jackson, another wide load.
The Tigers have to replace Jackson and defensive tackle Wayne ****ens. Josh Thompson is the expected starter at noseguard.
Smith, meanwhile, has finally reached his intended destination.
"When I went to junior college, I told my coach I did not want to get recruited. I was going back to Auburn," Smith said. "They stuck by me when I was sent to the junior college. All the other colleges backed off. I kept my word and came back to Auburn."http://www.ledger-enquirer.com/mld/ledgerenquirer/news/local/15297932.htm
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8/17/2006, 8:38 pm
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