PSJ's Smith off to Arkansas

PORT ST. JOE — There were no shortage of doubters about Darrell Smith’s chances of playing football at the college level.

Darrell was no doubter.

Smith proved that on Wednesday when he signed a national letter of intent to play at the University of Arkansas. He is believed to be the first Port St. Joe football player to move directly from high school to a Southeastern Conference school.

“It’s crazy, I never thought I’d be getting the chance to play Division I football, let alone the SEC,” Smith said. “I knew I had to work hard, buckle down and get some As and Bs in those core courses. But if you work hard, good things will happen for you.”

There has been scant doubt about Smith’s football abilities.

The 6-foot-2, 185-pound linebacker/running back has led the Tiger Sharks in tackles each of the past two seasons, while also proving a dangerous between-the-tackles runner. He racked up 264 tackles the past two years, earning second-team all-state and All-Big Bend honors as a junior.

Smith is rated a three-star recruit by Rivals.com.

“He figured out early on in his career that the guy who had the football was the guy he wanted to go after,” said Port St. Joe assistant coach Kesley Colbert with a chuckle. “He has two gears: standing still and full speed.”

Smith was nominated as Florida Athletic Coaches Association district player of the year in 2009, a season during which he was named a team captain.

Smith’s hurdle was academics, which scared off other potential suitors such as Florida State and the University of Florida. As Smith said Wednesday, a number of schools showed interest but were scared off over concerns about his being academically eligible.