'Thrown in the fire' by Oklahoma State football, Cam Smith set for bigger role in 2023
STILLWATER — Cam Smith doesn’t dismiss the cliché that so accurately describes his redshirt freshman season.
“I was just thrown in the fire,” said the Oklahoma State cornerback.
And he was.
Smith was a third-stringer when the Cowboys began their game against Texas Tech on Oct. 8 at Boone Pickens Stadium. By the end of the first quarter, following a pair of injuries, Smith was a first-teamer, and he remained either a starter or primary backup the rest of the season.
He began the year hoping to be a regular on special teams, but ended up playing 462 defensive snaps — the same number as Collin Oliver, more than guys like Thomas Harper and Tyler Lacy.
The experience Smith gained helped the Cowboys in a difficult situation last season, and boosted Smith into a more prominent role over the offseason.
Even though OSU added a veteran cornerback in Kenneth Harris from Arkansas State, Smith remains in contention for the starting job opposite the team’s top cornerback, Korie Black.
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“He’s great,” said OSU receiver Jaden Bray, who regularly finds himself across from Smith in practice. “He’s a super-strong, physical corner. His change of direction is really good. I feel like he gets better every day. He’s really hard-working. Say, if he messes up, he knows what he has to work on and he works on it.”
The 6-foot-2, 191-pound Smith saw his receiver targeted 30 times last season, allowing 16 completions for 232 yards. He had one pass breakup.
But the growth he found through getting on-field action was far more valuable than his performance.
“Toward the end of the season, I started getting a little bit more comfortable,” Smith said. “Now, I’ve carried that over to fall camp.”
With the addition of Harris and the emergence of other backups like Kale Smith, Jordan Reagan and D.J. McKinney, the Cowboys have built a strong cornerback depth chart.
That has increased the competition level within the group, which benefits everyone.
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“I would say it’s been real beneficial,” Smith said. “Everyone’s pushing each other to be better in practice, because we know if we have a bad day, it’s the next man up. That’s the type of competition we’re having right now.”
Cornerbacks coach Tim Duffie, who earned the title of defensive passing game coordinator as he enters his 11th season at OSU, has proven himself as a strong developer of talent. Three of his recent pupils played in the NFL last season and another is in preseason camp now.
And Smith credits his coach for having him ready when the opportunity came last year.
“I feel like I was pretty prepared last year, because Coach Duff did a pretty good job of preparing me,” Smith said. “He kept me locked into the game.”
Oklahoma State cornerback depth chart
Name, Class, Ht., Wt., Hometown (Previous school)
The starters
Korie Black, Sr., 6-0, 185, Waco, Texas (Connally)
Cam Smith, RFr., 6-2, 191, Little Elm, Texas (Braswell)
The reserves
Kenneth Harris, Sr., 6-0, 193, Columbia, Louisiana (Arkansas St.)
Kale Smith, RSo., 5-11, 170, Oklahoma City (Midwest City)
D.J. McKinney, RFr., 6-0, 174, Colleyville, Texas (Heritage)
Jordan Reagan, RJr., 6-1, 184, Bixby
De’kelvion Beamon, RSo., 6-0, 203 Shreveport, Louisiana (Huntington)
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This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Oklahoma State football: Cam Smith ready for bigger role at cornerback
