UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — Brandon Smith has filled a lot of roles during his five years at Penn State.
He’s been a walk-on. A scholarship recipient. A fullback. A tight end. A linebacker. A scout-team fixture. A starter. A single guy. The team’s only married man.
But as Smith’s playing career at Penn State winds down, coach James Franklin envisions him filling a new niche in the not-too-distant future.
“I’m hoping that he can graduate medical school in a couple years and be our team doctor and never leave, because he’s just got great perspective on this university, on this program, being a student-athlete, and being a football player,” Franklin said.
Smith, 23, already has earned a Kinesiology degree, is closing in on one in Health Policy and Administration and has submitted applications to medical schools throughout the Mid-Atlantic region.
He is not, however, finalizing plans to move into the team doctor’s office just yet.
“First things first,” he said. “I’ve got to get into a medical school. So that’s what I’m focused on academically right now, and focused on finishing off this school year.”
Smith also has to finish the 2017 football season, and might well do it as a starting linebacker.
He made his first start of the year in a 35-6 victory against Rutgers last Saturday and, with Manny Bowen unavailable for the second consecutive game after violating team rules, figures to get another when Nebraska visits Beaver Stadium at 4 p.m. Saturday.
Certainly, nothing about Smith’s performance against the Scarlet Knights suggested that he should he lose his spot in the lineup. He finished with 10 tackles, second-most on the team, and was cited by the coaching staff as defensive player of the game.
“He played a really good game,” linebacker Jason Cabinda said. “He really stepped up for us. There’s no surprise there. He’s always prepared like a starter.”
Indeed, Smith has long immersed himself in whatever challenge is before him, whether in the classroom or on the field. His 6-feet, 227-pound physique isn’t nearly as imposing as his tenacity and mental toughness.
“He’s one of these guys that just was so persistent,” Franklin said. “So persistent. To be on scout teams, special teams, and he’d be making guys look bad, with his effort and his tenacity and his perseverance, just day after day after day.”
Smith’s diligence finally has been rewarded with significant playing time, but his attitude when he was consigned to the background of the program likely will be an even greater legacy than anything he does on the field.
Franklin even had Smith address his teammates recently about maintaining a positive mindset and relentlessly working toward an objective, regardless of how distant it seems.
“I had a couple players who just said they were appreciative of my message, and some coaches echoed the same thing,” Smith said. “Ultimately, I think we have a lot of good character guys on our team who kind of already understand that, a lot of guys who come and work hard every day and have a great attitude.
“An example is Desi Davis, one of our cornerbacks. He said earlier in this year, even if he never plays, he’s excited to help the team get better and incredibly thankful for his opportunity. It’s just guys like that who really strengthen this team and give us a chance to be successful.
“When you can be selfless like that and work hard every day, despite playing time or things like that, your team has a great chance to be successful.”
And perhaps an opportunity to groom its next doctor.
Dave Molinari: Dmolinari@Post-Gazette.com and Twitter @MolinariPG
First Published: November 15, 2017, 6:00 p.m.
