In 2013, the Suncoast and BCP area was introduced to a phenomenal young running back from Nature Coast. A potential prospect that displays balance, speed and footwork. Deshawn Smith carried the ball 122 times for 719 yards, averaging 5.89 yards per carry with 71.9 yards per game and 9 rushing TDs.
One person who has seen the maturation of Deshawn as a player and person is Nature Coast assistant coach, Rob Kazmier. Under the previous regime’, Kazmier was the offensive line coach for the Sharks and pulled double duty as the recruiting coordinator. He has been a member of the NCT coaching staff since the spring of 2007 and has seen some of the best from the Hernando and Pasco area and feels Deshawn will stack up with them in due time.
BCP: Best asset Deshawn has on and off the field?
KAZMIER: He has an awful lot going for him, but I think his competitive nature is something that stands out. We really saw him open up and come out of his shell during a 7-on-7 tournament last summer. He was playing corner and was manned up on a big, strong WR from Tampa. The WR made a play and started jawing. DeShawn responded and just shut the guy down. They were really getting after it. It set the tone for him that day and it became infectious too. We won that game and went on to have a very successful day. Hopefully he continues to embrace this trait. It is an asset for him in track and weightlifting also.
Deshawn strives to improve in every facet of his game. In the classroom, on the filed and in the weight room. Just like every prospect reaching for greatness, Smith has failed to meet an expectation or two of his own. “I tried to power clean 250 pounds after a work out and fell on my butt in front everyone. I was pretty ashamed. Lesson I learn, don’t try to lift heavy right after a hard work out.”
BCP: What is his character?
KAZMIER: The importance of character has been emphasized heavily with DeShawn. He knows what is expected of him and he does a good job taking care of business.
BCP: Deshawn really wants to improve his feet and vision, but how did he improve during the season?
KAZMIER: We entered this season with question marks at quarterback and on the offensive line. We also had tough schedule lined up, so DeShawn had a lot on his plate. Every opponent knew we would be running the ball, and they knew DeShawn would be the guy doing it. He played at around 160 pounds this season and he took a lot of hits. He also handled some returns and played a lot of defense. He was basically banged up all season. He stepped up against some tough competition though. Everyone saw his breakout game against Pasco (9 carries for 123 yards 2 TDs & 1 def TD). Then against South Sumter he posted 112 yards and 2 TDs on just 10 carries.
BCP: What was the environment at school when his clip made ESPN Top 10?
KAZMIER: The TD run was ridiculous. He never gave up on that play. There was a lot of excitement at the school and in the community. You don’t see high school plays on the Top 10 very often.
BCP: Expectations this season?
KAZMIER: DeShawn has had high expectations for himself since he stepped on campus. That is just the type of kid he is. With things changing, it is hard to really set expectations right now. I’m not the right person to comment on that. Without getting too specific, he will certainly continue to improve. He just wrapped up a strong season of wrestling where he made it through to regionals. He is right on to the next thing. He had a preseason track meet today and did very well with just one day of training. He will be doing weightlifting as well (He was benching 300 lbs the summer before his sophomore year). DeShawn also has the entire offensive line returning in front of him including Christian Pellage, who just picked up an offer from Florida. That is something that should obviously be huge.