Drawing MSU interest

Last fall in Ocean Springs (Miss.) run-oriented offense, Donovan Smith spent most of his time blocking for running back but still managed 14 catches for 146 yards and two touchdowns. Looking towards his senior year in 2011, the 6-foot-2 and 190-pound receiver/safety expects to get more opportunities in the passing game.

Former Ocean Springs head coach Todd Mangum recently accepted a defensive coordinator position at Madison Central, which left behind a void for Smith and his teammates. But change could be a good thing, said Smith, concerning the offensive attack.

"We were a run-first offense and that was good for us last year," said Smith, who also had 15 tackles, one fumble recovery and one forced fumble last year. "But we will be getting a new coach soon and we hope that a new coach will like to spread it out more and get the ball to the receivers more.

"And I am just getting prepared for anything and that is how you have to approach it. I am still working on my blocking, working on my quickness off the ball and getting off jams."

On the recruiting scene, Smith has made the trek to Starkville a couple of times and attended the first pair of Mississippi State junior days. Smith also noted he was getting letters and interest from Florida State.

"I went to both of Mississippi State's junior days and I like it a lot up there," said Smith. "It feels like a good place and it seems like I would fit in well up there. The coaches there said they heard good things about me and said they were coming to watch our spring practice. I like their spread offense and how they get their slot receivers heavily involved in the offense. Schools are recruiting me as a slot receiver and I do better in the middle of the field at times.

"I don't have any offers yet but I would say Mississippi State is showing me the most interest. Florida State sends me a lot of letters and I haven't heard much from Ole Miss or Southern Miss yet."

While Smith and his Ocean Springs teammates await their new coach, he expects to get the ball in his hands due to other ways.

"I am being recruited as a receiver but I will also be playing some quarterback this year," said Smith. "I played quarterback in middle school and all the way up until last year when my team needed me to play slot receiver. I mainly just play in the wildcat formations so it will be good to play quarterback some again."