Undersized, Overlooked, but never Outmatched - The Sutton Smith Story

The NFL combine is one of the most important events during the NFL offseason. This year NIU had a pair of players make their way to Indianapolis to show off their skills. Those two teammates, Max Scharping, and Sutton Smith were able to share the experience. Both of these players have great backgrounds, but Smith’s story has more bumps and trials in the road to success.

An Early Transition

In highschool Smith was a running back, and a very good one at that. In his senior year, Smith ran for over 30 touchdowns and broke many Francis Howell high school records, but a hand injury deterred big time programs from pursuing him. Early in his NIU career the coaching staff asked Smith to change his role to defensive end. This transition brought Smith some serious success on the field. It was a change that Smith embraced from the start.

“I didn’t want to add or do anything that would disrupt our path to winning the M-A-C championship,” Smith said.

Major Success

Winning the Mid-American Conference Championship was always a goal for Smith. As a veteran on the Huskies, Smith knew the toughness it takes for a team to win their conference championship. This past season the Huskies captured the Mid-American Conference Championship with a dominant defensive performance led by Smith. That night is one that Smith will never forget, as he also proposed to his longtime girlfriend on the field following the win. This was something he dreamed of for a very long time.

“Once we won I just couldn’t believe it. I had never won a championship in my life, and I had this (proposal) planned for a little over a year. I have buddies back home that could tell you I have been talking about the M-A-C championship game and proposing to my girlfriend on the football field, and it came true,” Smith said.

Sutton Smith after a big sack. (Courtesy Mateo Avila)

The Next Step

Now Smith is ready for the next step in his life, right now he is projected to be drafted somewhere between the third and fifth round. Smith will be asked to change positions at the next level again, something that he is familiar with. He always welcomes these changes with open arms.

“I’m not a selfish player, I’ll play running back for god's sake, I’m open to all changes. It’s not about me at the end of the day, it’s about the team, it’s about making our team successful and winning Super Bowls,” Smith said.

Smith was a standout athlete here at NIU, and will look to continue to standout as he makes the jump to the next level, the NFL level.