In a pattern that is reminiscent of last year’s Cedarcrest High

School football season, Michael Smith has glided past his defenders and is

about to leap high in the air to grab some significant playing time as a

member of the University of Washington’s Huskies.

The unassuming, 6-foot-4, All-Kingco wide receiver turned

down scholarship offers from smaller schools for the opportunity to take

on opponents from Division 1 colleges and universities in the Pac-10.

Smith was invited to walk-on to earn a spot with the Huskies by

Assistant Coach Keith Gilbertson. Gilbertson had watched videos of

the youngster from Duvall using his soft hands and his 42-inch vertical leap

to pull in more than 900 yards worth of passes during his senior season on

a Red Wolf team that won only two games.

Gilbertson envisioned Smith as a third-down, possession-type

receiver who is asked to sacrifice his body by going over the middle to make

catches before being blindsided by defensive backs, similar to the role

performed by Husky walk-on Joe Jarzynka from Gig Harbor.

The confident freshman has made the most of his limited

opportunities. During the team’s first full

scrimmage, Smith pulled in both passes thrown in his direction and caught the

attention of Head Coach Rick Neuheisel.

“Coach Neuheisel has been really frustrated with the starting

receivers because they have not been able to hold on to the ball,” Smith told

The Snoqualmie Valley Record. “I’m doing all I can do to take advantage

of the few passes that are thrown in my direction to so I move up the

depth chart.

“Only a few of the coaches had seen my videos, so I think I

impressed some of them with my ability to go up and over defenders to make a catch.”

Smith has been moved from the wide-receiver position and is now

getting playing time as both flanker and Z-back to get him more involved

with the offense.

As of this week, Smith will be invited to dress for all home games,

but he is still uncertain whether he will be asked to join the traveling squad

when Washington takes on the University of Colorado on Sept. 16. The game

takes on added importance due to the fact that Neuheisel left his position as

head coach of the Buffalos to take the top spot with the Huskies two seasons ago.

Washington opens its year with a home game against Idaho on Sept.

2 and will then host interdivision rival Miami a week later before going

on the road against Colorado. Smith hopes he will be a regular member

of the traveling squad by the time the Huskies take on Washington State

in the season finale on Nov. 18.

Washington has been nationally ranked and is a pre-season favorite

to win the Pac-10 Conference and earn an invitation to the Rose Bowl on

New Years Day.

College did not start out on a bright note for Smith when he showed up

for his first practice at Husky Stadium. Smith asked for his familiar No.

88, the same number he had worn through four years of high school and the

same number that both of his brothers wore when they played for Tolt.

The coaches had given 88 to a scholarship player from Arizona, so Smith

accepted No. 81 to wear across his chest. But after his stellar performance at

the team’s first scrimmage, the coaches pulled Smith aside and gave him

the 88 jersey.

“The coaches said they always try to accommodate the wishes of

a player, whenever possible,” Smith explained. “Besides, the scholarship

guy from Arizona was a defensive back. The coach gave him another

number that is usually saved for the defense.”

Smith has been impressed with the high level of play in college and

the vast difference between catching passes in high school and

running routes for the Huskies.

“I’ve caught passes from (starting quarterback) Marques

(Tuiasosopo) in practice. It was great,” he said. “I’d

run my route, make my cut and the pass would be right there in my chest.

At first it was kinda like; `Hey, what’s this doing here?'”

Both of Smith’s catches at the Husky scrimmage were thrown by

reserve quarterbacks fighting for the opportunity to back-up Tuiasosopo.

“It was not until I got back to the dorm that night after practice that

I realized that I had been catching passes from a real Heisman

(Trophy) candidate,” Smith said, referring to Tuiasosopo. “The job of the

quarterbacks at Cedarcrest was to get the ball in my general vicinity. The rest

was up to me.”

The freshman is confident he will be able to adjust when classes

start next month and take on the challenge of academics as well as athletics.

College football requires a great deal more studying and learning

than playing in high school, according to Smith. His advisors have asked

him to only take two classes during his first semester so he has enough time

to keep his grades up. His “light load” will include a course in anthropology.

“There is a routine,” said Smith. “Three meetings before

breakfast, then three more after breakfast. I feel like I am going to college to earn

a degree in football.”

His main goal before the season starts will be to stay healthy and

keep playing despite taking shots from Washington defenders every day

during practice. Smith understands that he is vulnerable when he stretches

out to make a catch over the middle in third-down situations.

“I’m just trying to survive so I can get my chances everyday in

practice. The quarterbacks in college are smart enough not to try and force the

ball into a situation where I could get

hurt,” said Smith from his parents’ living room recently.

“I want to give myself the chance to be seen by the quarterback

coach so he can call my number more often. And that number is 88!”