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Smith to forego senior season
62 comments | Read story
@ true blue | 4:23 p.m. Jan. 12, 2009
dude, you talk like bronco. He likes that word, aligned.
They should get a fair chance to make it, sean may be a great one.
They should get a fair chance to make it, sean may be a great one.
Good Luck! | 4:32 p.m. Jan. 12, 2009
My best wishes go out to both Kruger and Smith.
Utah's defense is still stacked and with all of the recruits signing with Utah lately we will still be extremely athletic.
Makes sense for both of them to go now after such a great year. Good luck boys and show the NFL what Utah football is about.
Utah's defense is still stacked and with all of the recruits signing with Utah lately we will still be extremely athletic.
Makes sense for both of them to go now after such a great year. Good luck boys and show the NFL what Utah football is about.
Comments continue below
BleedCougarBlue | 4:35 p.m. Jan. 12, 2009
Smith, at 6'3" and 214 has good size for an NFL cornerback (maybe he
could play safety too?) and 5 picks will help his draft stock but is he really
that good?
And Kruger too. So he's first team All-MWC. That's nice but I don't think he was on anybody's All-American list, was he?
Time will tell.....
And Kruger too. So he's first team All-MWC. That's nice but I don't think he was on anybody's All-American list, was he?
Time will tell.....
Thank Goodness! | 4:49 p.m. Jan. 12, 2009
As a Cougar fan, I for one and so Greatful to see Sean Smith leave early for the
NFL. McKay Jacobsen would have had his hands full dealing with Smith, just as
Collie did in November. Sean was very athletic and strong and showed the kind
of speed that I wish BYU could recruit in the defensive secondary.
LVIS | 4:50 p.m. Jan. 12, 2009
I'm sure they'll do just as well as Alex Smith.
Bummed | 4:52 p.m. Jan. 12, 2009
I loved these guys. They were the MVP's of our defense.
bleed so blue | 5:15 p.m. Jan. 12, 2009
Kruger and Smith must have been as good in the classroom as on the football
field. They certinly understand the business 101 concept of market timing.
Best Wishes in the pros you certainly made your mark in the Colligate game.
true blue | 5:37 p.m. Jan. 12, 2009
I honestly wet my pants watching Phreddy Kruger and Smith returing pic after
pic... I will sleep better tonight...
Smith is no Weddle | 5:46 p.m. Jan. 12, 2009
Smith could honestly use one more year to improve his skills. Collie is not that
fast and made Smith look bad at times. He is a great talent but may end up
wishing he would have waited.
UteFan | 5:54 p.m. Jan. 12, 2009
With Austin Collie leaving and with Kruger and Smith leaving, who will Max Hall
throw to?
RE:SMITH IS NO WEDDLE | 5:59 p.m. Jan. 12, 2009
WHEN WHEN WHEN DID COLLIE MAKE SMITH LOOK BAD? WHEN SMITH RELEASED HIM TO THE
SAFETY ON THE PLAY WHERE COLLIE RAN ALL THE WAY ACROSS THE FIELD? CUZ OTHER THAN
THAT HE DIDN'T MAKE THAT MANY CATCHES AGAINST SMITH.. AND NOTHING FOR BIG
YARDS
Aristotle | 5:59 p.m. Jan. 12, 2009
The rats are jumping off the ship! This year's success sows the seeds of
next year's demise. Speaking of which, I hear that Oklahoma is losing a
ton of players next season, which bodes well for BYU not getting destroyed by
the Sooners...
Re: UteFan | 6:25 p.m. Jan. 12, 2009
LOL
B-Rad | 6:40 p.m. Jan. 12, 2009
I really don't care, I wish them well. Even if they were 0-12 my family
(3-4 generations) is at every home game. We're happy about this year.
Re Smith is no Weddle | 7:02 p.m. Jan. 12, 2009
Why don't you look at the picture at the top of this page. You're
saying Collie made Smith look bad? Maybe I'm just blind but isn't
Collie trying to chase Smith down there?
RE: SMITH IS NO WEDDLE | 7:06 p.m. Jan. 12, 2009
PLEASE DON"T TYPE YOUR COMMENTS IN ALL CAPS. BTW, WAS SMITH INVOLVED IN THE
4TH AND 18 PLAY? JUST WONDERING.
Alex Smith | 7:14 p.m. Jan. 12, 2009
I'm rooting hard for ya Steve. You're sure to be the first Smith from
the U to have any success in the NFL.
Good for them | 7:48 p.m. Jan. 12, 2009
I am extremely happy for them as individuals....it is a good feeling to reach
such a lofty goal in life. I am also happy for the Utah football program, this
shows that they recruit and develop good talent. It may hurt the team a little
next year, but down the road they will undoubtedly use these individual's
success as a reason for others to follow in their footsteps at the U. Even
though I don't care much for BYU I am also happy for Collie, once they
don't have a Y on their helmet I definitely cheer them on in the pros as
well.
IowaUte | 9:02 p.m. Jan. 12, 2009
Happy for them both. Going to miss them. Loved to watch them play.
Commitment | 9:09 p.m. Jan. 12, 2009
None of these guys know the meaning of COMMITMENT. The U committed to pay
thousands of dollars in scholarship money to these guys, and how do they repay
them???
They take the money and run.
I hope they both (Kruger & Smith) fizzle out and that they end up coaching at Skyline high school in three to four years - if they are lucky.
They take the money and run.
I hope they both (Kruger & Smith) fizzle out and that they end up coaching at Skyline high school in three to four years - if they are lucky.
Re: Alex Smith | 9:13 p.m. Jan. 12, 2009
Am I missing something? I hope you are kidding? Not quite sure how to respond to
that comment. When you say 'I'm rooting hard for ya Steve' are
you actually referring to Steve Smith who is one of the best receivers the NFL
has seen in recent memory? Beacause if so... SEAN Smith wouldn't be the
first Smith from the U to have success in the NFL. If you confused the name Sean
with Steve then I am assuming you are actually speculating that Sean will be
successful? I might be failing to catch the sarcasm but I'm fairly certain
that Sean Smith will be a solid defender at the next level.
Karma | 9:16 p.m. Jan. 12, 2009
Wasn't it just yesterday that Ute fans were laughing at Cougar fans who
were lamenting the loss of Collie? Karma's a bummer isn't it?!
Bad News for the Utes | 9:46 p.m. Jan. 12, 2009
The early departure of Smith and Kruger will hurt Utah much more than the early
departure of Collie will hurt BYU. All three will likely have at least average
careers in the NFL but Kruger could benefit from another year in college.
Jorgensen is probably as NFL-ready as Kruger and Pitta could potentially hurt
himself by not entering the draft this year given the projections of his status
by various scouting services.
I think that next year's Utah team will be several steps below this year's team. By losing their best pass rusher and both corners, Utah's defense will be much weaker and the offense will be hurting even worse because of the departure of Johnson and most of the receivers. King Louie (or Lord Louie, or whatever it is now) also will be missed badly.
Despite losing offensive linemen as well as Collie and Nixon, BYU will be in better shape.
My predictions for next year:
Utah loses at San Jose State and at Oregon (a near certainty) and loses at least 3 conference games (including likely losses at TCU and BYU).
BYU loses the opener to Oklahoma, beats Flordia State, and drops only one MWC game.
I think that next year's Utah team will be several steps below this year's team. By losing their best pass rusher and both corners, Utah's defense will be much weaker and the offense will be hurting even worse because of the departure of Johnson and most of the receivers. King Louie (or Lord Louie, or whatever it is now) also will be missed badly.
Despite losing offensive linemen as well as Collie and Nixon, BYU will be in better shape.
My predictions for next year:
Utah loses at San Jose State and at Oregon (a near certainty) and loses at least 3 conference games (including likely losses at TCU and BYU).
BYU loses the opener to Oklahoma, beats Flordia State, and drops only one MWC game.
Please Say It's Not True! | 9:55 p.m. Jan. 12, 2009
Kruger and Smith were a big part of what made the Utah defense great. They
cannot be easily replaced. Both could use another collegiate year.
Guys, change your minds by Thursday. Please, please, please!!!
Guys, change your minds by Thursday. Please, please, please!!!
Jerry Hughes, TCU, etc. | 10:26 p.m. Jan. 12, 2009
The bad news for other MWC offenses is that Jerry Hughes of TCU is coming back
next year despite being projected as high as #13 in some mock NFL drafts. From
a financial standpoint, it's not very smart for him to stay in college but
his TCU team will dominate the conference next year. TCU will have loads of
talent on both sides of the ball.
I wish that Collie would have stayed at BYU and Kruger and Smith at Utah. I like to see our two local schools at the top of the MWC instead of the team from Fort Worth coached by the very arrogant Patterson. Unfortunately, TCU probably will be the emerging long-term football power in the MWC. They have more money than they know what to do with and their football team's new training facility is better than almost anything in the NFL (reportedly the Dallas Cowboys are jealous). Air Force and Colorado State will be even more competitive next year and probably every other team in the MWC will improve. But, unfortunately, TCU will be on top.
Anyway, it was good to see Utah have a spectacular year and BYU a very good one.
I wish that Collie would have stayed at BYU and Kruger and Smith at Utah. I like to see our two local schools at the top of the MWC instead of the team from Fort Worth coached by the very arrogant Patterson. Unfortunately, TCU probably will be the emerging long-term football power in the MWC. They have more money than they know what to do with and their football team's new training facility is better than almost anything in the NFL (reportedly the Dallas Cowboys are jealous). Air Force and Colorado State will be even more competitive next year and probably every other team in the MWC will improve. But, unfortunately, TCU will be on top.
Anyway, it was good to see Utah have a spectacular year and BYU a very good one.
Anonymous | 10:33 p.m. Jan. 12, 2009
who do byu fans think they're kidding. How do they think this gives them an
advantage. there football team is still garbage and there recruits worthless.
Utah still will have a dynamic defense and will fill the holes on offense,
zoobies you are still not the team to beat if anyone TCU IS.
Re: Commitment | 10:53 p.m. Jan. 12, 2009
Quit posing as a ute fan, cougar.
Thanks DesNews | 11:27 p.m. Jan. 12, 2009
Thanks for using that picture Desnews. Any chance they used the Kruger
interception picture on his story?
Strike When Hot | 11:36 p.m. Jan. 12, 2009
All three have made educated decisions. In the case of Kruger, he is still
young and not a red flag for NFL teams, he only has one kidney which could end
his chances all together if he got hurt next year, the Utes are the number 2
team in the nation, his stock is high, and he is a predicted 1st to 2nd rounder
(predictions don't mean much in this game). Smith is in the same boat and
is a true freak of nature, maybe the biggest corner in the nation who will match
up well with the prototypical big target NFL receiver. You have to look out for
number one in this business. Get all you can, as soon as you can. Collie is an
RM as well. Again, the age factor. 2 years can be the difference between a nice
salary, and one that you can retire on.
Strike When Hot | 11:37 p.m. Jan. 12, 2009
(continued from last post)...
As far as the Ute coaches go, they have an NFL veteran coach in John Peese coaching the D-line now, and Sitake will be a good coordinator with the help of Peese and Whit. It will be interesting to see if the fans eat their words in the criticisms of Ludwig, or if they will be justified with the new OC and O-line coaches to come. In my humble opinion, I think they will eat their words. Ludwig did a great job. Whomever the replacement may be, you may get a welcome wagon to ride, but only until the first week of September.
As far as the Ute coaches go, they have an NFL veteran coach in John Peese coaching the D-line now, and Sitake will be a good coordinator with the help of Peese and Whit. It will be interesting to see if the fans eat their words in the criticisms of Ludwig, or if they will be justified with the new OC and O-line coaches to come. In my humble opinion, I think they will eat their words. Ludwig did a great job. Whomever the replacement may be, you may get a welcome wagon to ride, but only until the first week of September.
Defense will still be tough! | 12:31 a.m. Jan. 13, 2009
Krugar and Smith are going to be tough to replace but luckily the utes have the
depth to do so. On the D-line they still return Misi and Eliapo along with David
Krugar coming of a redshirt year ready to step in for Paul. Also James Aiono is
to be a stud at DE from all that i've heard at snow college. ALL of of our
linebackers return and both saftey's return. Our one concern will be out on
the corners with our CB's but they have two solid recruits coming in.
Maxwell Lacy has similiar size and speed of Smith and should be a name to watch
out for. I think the most important thing to remember however is that Coach Whit
is still a defensive guy and rarely has the defense really been the real problem
at the U with him as coach or d-cordinator. This will still be a great
defense!!!
As for Krugar and Smith i wish them nothing but the best. Krugar will go down as one of my favorite Utes to ever watch. He played hard, hated the Y, (quoted on ESPN), and represented us utes proud!
GO UTES!!
As for Krugar and Smith i wish them nothing but the best. Krugar will go down as one of my favorite Utes to ever watch. He played hard, hated the Y, (quoted on ESPN), and represented us utes proud!
GO UTES!!
akk | 7:03 a.m. Jan. 13, 2009
Best of luck to both... Good players, good people!!! The Utes defense will be
fine without them yes Cougs we recruit speed and athleticism. We had a wonderful
year and will have another good year next year.
danburtreynolds | 7:55 a.m. Jan. 13, 2009
RE: Karma
Actually, I think you will find that few Ute fans are lamenting the loss. While I think it would be nice if they stayed, I have confidence in our staff and players in the system to step up and maintain the high level of play (that's what Paul and Sean would want :) sorry I just had to say that) I wish the both of them well, and if I had the choice, I think I would have done the same thing.
Actually, I think you will find that few Ute fans are lamenting the loss. While I think it would be nice if they stayed, I have confidence in our staff and players in the system to step up and maintain the high level of play (that's what Paul and Sean would want :) sorry I just had to say that) I wish the both of them well, and if I had the choice, I think I would have done the same thing.
Anonymous | 8:16 a.m. Jan. 13, 2009
I agree with an earlier post - all these athletes are prima donnas (sp?) who
have nothing but their own self-interest in mind.
Athletes should remain in school 4 years, as they committed when they signed, or not go at all.
Athletes should remain in school 4 years, as they committed when they signed, or not go at all.
SDR | 8:44 a.m. Jan. 13, 2009
At the beginning of the season I would have never guessed that Sean Smith would
rise to these heights. He was a very average cover corner and a poor tackler
last year, but he improved 120% this year. Best of luck in representing the
Utes at the next level.
Picture | 8:58 a.m. Jan. 13, 2009
Speaking of the picture accompanying the article - didn't Collie run Smith
down on that int? If Collie's so slow, that doesn't bode well for
Smith.
re: Jerry Hughes | 9:06 a.m. Jan. 13, 2009
Hughes is staying (can't figure out why, considering his NFL stock value
right now), but 7 other defensive starters are leaving. Hughes is incredible,
but I suspect that he won't be able to carry the rest of the defense.
Then again, I thought TCU would struggle to replace Blake and Ortiz, but Hughes came out of nowhere. I don't know how Patterson does it, but he produces incredible athletes even from the Big-12 leftovers. Must be nice to have such depth in Texas high schools.
Then again, I thought TCU would struggle to replace Blake and Ortiz, but Hughes came out of nowhere. I don't know how Patterson does it, but he produces incredible athletes even from the Big-12 leftovers. Must be nice to have such depth in Texas high schools.
Thats what happens... | 9:38 a.m. Jan. 13, 2009
when you get into, and win, a BCS game. The coaching staff gets raided and the
players that are NFL bound take advantage of the situation. Its awesome to be
in BCS games but, as the last two times has shown, it devastates the program.
Good thing we know that we can rebuild and, within 4-5 years, be back at the top
of the nation again.
If BYU fans want to know what that is like (to be at the top of the nation and to have multiple NFL caliber players), you can either ask your grandpa who was alive in 1984 or you can ask any Ute fan, most of whom remember 2004 and 2008.
If BYU fans want to know what that is like (to be at the top of the nation and to have multiple NFL caliber players), you can either ask your grandpa who was alive in 1984 or you can ask any Ute fan, most of whom remember 2004 and 2008.
RE: SMITH IS NO WEDDLE | 9:54 a.m. Jan. 13, 2009
It was actually Bryce McCain on that 4th and 18 play.
Re Thats what happens | 10:06 a.m. Jan. 13, 2009
As a Ute fan, of course I agree that it's great to see Utah get back to a
BCS game in 4 years. I disagree though that this year's changes will be as
devastating as 2004's. The Fiesta Bowl team had quite a few more seniors
than the Sugar Bowl team, plus there is (so far) much less turnover among the
coaches.
So far, we've lost only Andersen, Ludwig and the O-line coach, whereas 4 years ago, it was Meyer, Mullen, Sanford and several other position coaches that followed Meyer. We replaced Andersen's DC role internally and made a great pickup from the NFL in Pease for the D-line assignment.
I'm still curious to see who we get for OC, but with all due respect to Ludwig, I don't think there will be much of a drop-off in offensive performance because Ludwig's play calling made the offense so herky-jerky at times. Luckily he saved his best games for BYU and Alabama, but the Wyoming game, the first half against UNLV, the second half against Michigan, and the New Mexico game were all absolutely dreadful!
So far, we've lost only Andersen, Ludwig and the O-line coach, whereas 4 years ago, it was Meyer, Mullen, Sanford and several other position coaches that followed Meyer. We replaced Andersen's DC role internally and made a great pickup from the NFL in Pease for the D-line assignment.
I'm still curious to see who we get for OC, but with all due respect to Ludwig, I don't think there will be much of a drop-off in offensive performance because Ludwig's play calling made the offense so herky-jerky at times. Luckily he saved his best games for BYU and Alabama, but the Wyoming game, the first half against UNLV, the second half against Michigan, and the New Mexico game were all absolutely dreadful!
re: Commitment | 10:10 a.m. Jan. 13, 2009
Leaving early for the NFL is expected. If you're good at football you leave
early to go to the NFL. Are u a poser or just naive?
Re: Picture | 10:22 a.m. Jan. 13, 2009
The reason Collie caught Smith on the INT is not that one is faster or slower
than the other. It was because Smith was trying to juke out Max Hall, who had
the pursuit angle and was trying to run Smith out of bounds. You can watch it
on YouTube.
Question | 10:50 a.m. Jan. 13, 2009
How many players left early after 04 BSC game besides Alex Smith. Wasn't
Paris Warren a senior. I know Steve Savoy left early. What ever happened to him
in the NFL?
Re; Anonymous 10:33 PM | 11:03 a.m. Jan. 13, 2009
You Ute fans are hysterical. If you can remember back to 2004 after going 12-0
your "dynamic" program "filled its holes" by producing a 7-5
season, and didn't come within sniffing distance of the MWC title for the
next two years.
After losing your offensive coordinator, defensive coordinator, star quarterback and kicker, and now two key defensive players this year I'm pretty sure another 7-5 season is awaiting you in 2009.
Remember, you have to play UNLV on the road this season and for some reason you don't play the Rebels very well there.
After losing your offensive coordinator, defensive coordinator, star quarterback and kicker, and now two key defensive players this year I'm pretty sure another 7-5 season is awaiting you in 2009.
Remember, you have to play UNLV on the road this season and for some reason you don't play the Rebels very well there.
Going down... | 11:16 a.m. Jan. 13, 2009
Even rats can tell when a ship's sinking.
JUST GREAT!!! | 11:22 a.m. Jan. 13, 2009
Oh well, I suppose repeat is out of the question. Good luck to them both. I
would probably do the same thing but I am selfish. Why me, why me... With all
these losses we will be lucky to win a second conference title and now I have to
listen to all the BYU folks at work go on and on about how Utah sux again and
the planets are back in line.
Brabbt | 11:53 a.m. Jan. 13, 2009
I swear some of the fans in happy valley are the biggest morons. Give Utah some
credit they beat you, they won the Sugar Bowl, this article had nothing to do
with weak sauce BYwho or any of their players. SO MIND YOUR OWN BUSINESS AND
STOP POSTING YOU LOST TO ARIZONA IN THE LAS VEGAS BOWL!!!
Brabbit | 11:55 a.m. Jan. 13, 2009
Maybe you should ask Max Hall how good Paul Krueger and Sean Smith are and let
him post a comment.
re: JUST GREAT!!! | 12:01 p.m. Jan. 13, 2009
Don't worry too much, things seesaw back and forth. I wanted to strangle
some of my fellow Cougar fans who started talking about BYU being the perennial
MWC champ again after blasting the conference for the second straight season.
One of the great and frustrating things about college is how things go up and
down with recruiting classes and graduation. I think many Utes will be
surprised when Utah struggles a bit next year - the loss of so many key players
will be felt in those nailbiters like Michigan, OSU, TCU and NM. But hey, two
Utah senior classes have gone to the BCS, so you've got something going if
you're patient .
One thing fans of both teams can agree on - the MWC championship should go through the Beehive State every year and come down to the Holy War! Keep TCU and any would-be challengers firmly in their places!
One thing fans of both teams can agree on - the MWC championship should go through the Beehive State every year and come down to the Holy War! Keep TCU and any would-be challengers firmly in their places!
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Tom Smart, Deseret News
Utah's Sean Smith runs back an interception as BYU's Austin Collie chases him as the University of Utah defeats Brigham Young University 48-24. Smith is forgoing his senior season and enter the NFL draft.
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