A teammate of Christian Smith jokingly pointed out during a recent interview with the Times Free Press that the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga defensive tackle had “no tackles” in the Mocs’ 55-13 win over Samford last week.
And if that was his role, it may have bothered Smith. But it’s not always, and that’s why the 6-foot-1, 293-pounder – nicknamed “PeeWee” by his teammates because of his resemblance to rapper PeeWee Longway – is so important to the defense.
“I feel like if I’ll take on two (offensive lineman) for the linebackers, I’m doing my job,” Smith said. “If I’m causing havoc in the backfield, getting in the backfield and cutting the ball back, I’m doing my job. It’s not all about stats, it’s just about knowing you’re one of 11. There are going to be times of year where anybody can have six or seven tackles in a game, but if you’re doing your job and the team is winning, that’s all that matters.”
Smith has been a coveted player for UTC since before he arrived. He initially committed to the program in 2018, only to back out and spend a year at Tennessee Tech, where he had 12 tackles in six games as a freshman. He transferred to UTC after that season and has been a vital part of the Mocs’ defensive line since his arrival, with seven tackles (1.5 for loss) and a half-sack this year, and has 23 tackles in his career.
But again, it’s about his impact.
“He’s a staple on that defensive line,” offensive lineman Harrison Moon said. “It’s not fun if you see him lined up across from you because he gets off the ball fast, he plays hard and he plays the game how it’s supposed to be played. So when his time has come, you’re going to hear his name called a lot one day, and if it’s not getting called, it’s because somebody got there a little quicker, but I know he’s giving the guy across from him hell when he’s in the game.”
Staff file photo by Troy Stolt / UTC defensive lineman Christian Smith doesn’t mind not racking up tackle numbers for himself as long as the Mocs are making the stops when needed.UTC coach Rusty Wright said Smith is playing some of the best football in his career, noting “the way he’s played the past couple of weeks completely changes the game for us.”
That’s why Smith doesn’t mind not hearing his name called when a stop is made. There’s a confidence that comes from doing your job, and play in and play out, he’s doing just that. The Mocs are making a push for a share of the Southern Conference championship, which will take commitment from the entire team.
They certainly have that from Smith.
“My role is to be the best player I can, just do my one of 11,” he said. “We’ve got a good front seven, we can rotate bodies; any week it could be any defensive tackle that’s going to play good, so that’s how deep we are in the room.
“Just have to keep pushing everybody, being a leader and making sure everybody’s doing the right thing.”
Contact Gene Henley at ghenley@timesfreepress.com. Follow him on Twitter @genehenley3.