Arizona is bringing a familiar face to Big 12 Media Days, and Tre Smith fits the bill as well as anyone on the roster.
The sixth-year defensive lineman is part of the seven-player group set to join coach Brent Brennan in Frisco, Texas, for the Big 12’s annual event on July 7-8. Arizona’s contingent is meant to reflect what Brennan and his staff are building, and Smith stands out as a veteran who has already lived through plenty and still has more to give.
Last season, Smith’s year was interrupted after five games. He finished with seven tackles, one tackle for loss and one fumble recovery, but a senior season that had real promise was cut short. He left the Weber State game with a lower leg injury, then later suffered a rotator cuff injury that ended his season.
“You know, I’ve been through an achilles before, so it’s not exactly the same, but it’s just monotonous, like you got to do it every day, and you don’t feel like necessarily doing it all the time, but it’s either I do that or I don’t get to play and chase my dream,” said Smith.
Now he gets another shot, and there are two obvious upsides to the extra year. First, he gets to wear Arizona colors again. Second, he gets another season working with defensive line coach Joe Salave’a.
“It’s the best thing that could have happened for me, I’m grateful,” said Smith on his extra year with Salave’a. “The minute details of every little thing, whether it be run, whether it be pass rush, first step, you know, fully executing a move, just details.”
Salave’a has noticed how Smith handles coaching, and that trait has made an impression.
“I think, probably, the most awesome thing is he’s open to be coached,” said Salave’a on Smith. “It’s rare now to have an older player with a lot of college playing experience be that coachable. That young man there, he’s a bonafide leader.”
Around the program, Smith’s approach is easy to spot. Leroy Palu and Julian Savaiinaea both pointed to the way he works every day.
“I mean Mr. Redline himself, watching him, his technique, his mannerism, is just so funny to see redline in breakfast, redline in meetings, redline on and off the field,” said Palu.
“He’s been trying to step out of his shoes and be more vocal, but he’s really a leader of action,” said Savaiinaea. “He leads by his actions, and man, his actions speak louder than his words.”
That kind of presence matters even more after Smith missed time last season. Defensive coordinator Danny Gonzales said his voice was missed once he was sidelined.
“Tre had a big voice last year, but when he got hurt, that voice disappeared,” defensive coordinator Danny Gonzales said. “Guys that don’t play can lead from the side in certain things, but when it comes down to actually winning games, that guy better be on the field. Tre has done a phenomenal job.”
In Other News...
Arizona Still Has One Huge July 4 Recruiting Battle Left
July 4 is shaping up as a busy recruiting day across college football, with three three-star prospects set to make their college choices known. For Arizona, the name to watch is Mason Joshua, the offensive lineman who has the Wildcats in the mix alongside Oklahoma State, giving the program a real chance to add an important piece up front on a holiday that will draw plenty of attention from recruiting followers.
Joshua is expected to announce around 2 p.m. ET, and Arizonas interest is part of a larger day that also includes wide receiver Kyren Caldwell and athlete Darryl Flemister. Caldwell is down to Alabama, Maryland and Mississippi State, while Flemister is expected to settle on Illinois or Iowa, leaving Arizonas best unresolved thread tied to a decision that could matter for the Wildcats future line depth. [Read more 🡒]
Tre Spivey Looks Like A Key Piece Of Arizonas Offense Again
Arizonas trip to Big 12 Media Days in Frisco will put a spotlight on the programs direction, but Tre Spivey is already giving the Wildcats a reason to feel good about where the offense is headed. The redshirt junior wideout is coming off a season that showed why coaches have kept pointing to him as a player with real value, and his profile has only grown as hes continued to sharpen the details of his game heading into the next college football season.
Spiveys place in the offense should be one of the more interesting storylines around Arizona this summer, especially with a crowded receiver room adding more bodies to the mix. Brent Brennan, Seth Doege and Bobby Wade have all seen the same thing in him: a player whose work has translated into better consistency, better understanding and a bigger role in the passing game, even as newcomers keep pushing for snaps. [Read more 🡒]