2013 Football Roster
Brandon Smith
- Height:
- 6-8
- Weight:
- 344
- Class:
- Freshman
- Hometown:
- Kernersville
- High School:
- East Forsyth
- Major:
- Public Health Studies
An imposing and powerful presence on the line of scrimmage … Has progressed from a highly-regarded all-state prep standout to collegiate starter, and now is considered a strong honors candidate on the conference level for the second-straight season … Completed spring drills listed as the Pirates’ starting right tackle, a status earned prior to the second week of sophomore season … A Preseason All-American Athletic Conference choice by Athlon Sports (third-team) … Has played in 29 career games and currently enjoys a streak of 23-straight starts … Already participated in five spring practice periods (reported early in 2013) with three different position coaches, but has appeared to take performance to a higher level under new line mentor Geep Wade during the springs of 2016 and 2017 … Despite current standing and prior accomplishments, was offensive unit’s recipient of the “Most Improved Player Award” following spring workouts (2017).
2016: Opened all 12 games at the right tackle position … A key anchor for a line that helped offensive unit average 467.1 yards per contest, which stood 23rd nationally … Also provided protection for Top 25 ranks in passing offense (6th/334.7), completion percentage (11th/64.8) and fourth down conversion percentage (22nd/60.0) … Supported Top 10 performances for two individuals as WR Zay Jones captured FBS stat titles in receptions (158), receptions per game (13.2) and receiving yards per game (145.5), while QB Philip Nelson was 7th in completion percentage (67.9) and 10th in completions per game (23.7) … Integral part of a Pirate offense that turned in the second-highest single-season passing attack in school history (334.7) and the fourth-highest total offense output (467.1) … Helped ECU amass 688 total yards vs. Western Carolina in the opener, which rated third on the school’s single-game list dating back to 1932, while its 488 passing yards vs. UCF is second in the program’s all-time annals … Credited with assisting unit’s compilation of 400 or more total yards in 11 of 12 games … On the ground, opened holes for three 100-yard rushing performances (Anthony Scott/120 vs. WCU, James Summers/114 vs. USF and 134 vs. Navy).
2015: Started 11 of 12 contests at right tackle as a sophomore … Came off the bench in the opener against Towson, but took over position from Dontae Levingston prior to the Florida tilt and did not relinquish job the remainder of the season … Significantly contributed to a unit that averaged 414.6 yards per game, 281.3 through the air (which stood 27th nationally) … Other Top 50 FBS ranks include fourth down conversion percentage (64.7/18th), redzone efficiency (88.6 percent/23rd), third down conversion percentage (43.0/35th) and pass efficiency rating (137.38/43rd) … Helped Pirates amass 400 or more yards six times and 500 or more on three occasions (622/UCF, 555/SMU, 518/BYU) … Member of line that produced a pair of 200-yard rushing efforts (306 vs. SMU, 203 vs. Connecticut) and three individual 100-yard ground performances – 2/RB Chris Hairston, 1/QB James Summers … Also provided protection for five 300-yard passing outings (473/UCF, 385/BYU, 346/Florida, 325/Navy, 317/Cincinnati).
2014: Played in five games, both as a reserve on the offensive line and on special teams, to earn first varsity letter … Appeared in contests against N.C. Central, South Carolina, Virginia Tech, North Carolina and SMU to open season, but did not experience action the remainder of the year.
2013: Provided solid service on the scout squad as a redshirt during true rookie year … Officially enrolled early at ECU in January of 2013 and joined the Pirates for spring drills.
High School: Selected to the 2012 Associated Press All-State squad, as voted on by 17 statewide media members ... A two-year varsity starter and team captain who earned three-star designation according to Scout.com ... Helped guide Todd Willert's East Forsyth High School program to a 13-1 record as a senior, which included a 6-0 mark in 4-A Piedmont Triad League play ... Eagles did not suffer a loss until the North Carolina High School Athletic Association 4AA quarterfinals (a 25-15 setback to eventual state champion Butler) ... Anchored an offensive line from the guard position that helped EFHS amass over 4,000 yards and score 568 points - an average of 40.6 per game ... Tallied 29 pancake blocks during final campaign and allowed only one sack in 138 chances ... In addition to AP all-state status, also selected First Team All-Piedmont Triad 4-A Conference, NCPreps.com 4A All-State, CarolinaPreps.com 4A All-State, Triad Sports Weekly All-Forsyth County and Winston-Salem Journal All-Northwest (region) in 2012 ... Played key role in East Forsyth's 9-3 campaign (5-1 league record) in 2011, earning All-Piedmont Triad 4-A Conference honors as a junior ... Offensive unit averaged 30.9 points per outing and reached 40-point plateau on three occasions on the way to a NCHSAA first-round playoff appearance ... Also named to the Triad Sports Weekly All-Forsyth County First-Team ... Spent freshman season on junior varsity squad before a late-season sophomore year promotion to varsity.
Personal: Full name Brandon L. Smith … Born at Morganton, N.C. … Due to his height and the absence of Forsyth County middle school programs, didn't play organized football until the ninth grade … Earned a bachelor’s degree in family community services during ECU’s Spring Commencement Exercises on May 5, 2017 … Currently pursuing a second degree in public health studies … Also competes on Pirates’ track team as a thrower (shot put).
