Daniel Smith
Quarterback / Villanova

Alex Khvatov:  What are your measurements (height, weight and forty time)?

Daniel Smith:  I am about 6’0, 200 pounds and 4.6.   

Alex Khvatov:  How are you currently preparing for the 2020 season with no offseason training? 

Daniel Smith:  We have a few guys who get together in Virginia.  We run a few routes at a high school field.  Gyms are closed, but I have been using a couple of dumbbells, bands and a treadmill at my sister’s house. 

Alex Khvatov:  What can we expect from Villanova this upcoming season? 

Daniel Smith:  Our team has an advantage going into the season.  We have a big core of starters returning.  We did it last year.  We are a more experienced team.  We are explosive and we have big-time weapons.   

Alex Khvatov:  Besides football, what other sports did you play in high school?

Daniel Smith:  I have played basketball and baseball since I was a kid.  I stopped playing baseball in middle school.  Basketball was my first love.  It was easy to get guys to go and play basketball at a park. 

Alex Khvatov:  When did you start playing QB? 

Daniel Smith:  I was 10 years old.  My dad’s buddy was a coach.  He knew me well.  He got me started at playing QB. 

Alex Khvatov:  Coming out of high school, what programs showed interest in you?

Daniel Smith:  In high school, I didn’t throw the ball much my junior year.  I had a meniscus tear that year and I had surgery.  We had a really good RB.  My senior year, we lost a lot of seniors the year before.  We were a more balanced offense.  Ivy Leagues showed interest, but never offered. 

Alex Khvatov:  Why did you choose Campbell? 

Daniel Smith:  We lost in the state semis my senior year.  The coach from Cambell, who is now at NC State, talked to me for a bit.  He reported to coach Minter.  They brought me on a visit and offered.   

Alex Khvatov:  Tell us about what you accomplished at Campbell. 

Daniel Smith:  It was definitely interesting.  I sat out the first year.  We had a new offensive coordinator the next year.  Coming out of camp, I was behind the starter.  He got hurt week three against Presbyterian.  I came in and ran with it from there.  I put up very good numbers at the school.  I had a lot of AP classes from high school, so I was able to graduate early.  I wanted to expand my horizons in football and academically.   

Alex Khvatov:  Why did you transfer to Villanova?      

Daniel Smith:  I was looking for a higher level of football.  I reached out to MAC schools, but I didn’t get much.  My high school coach texted me and told that Villanova was looking for a QB.  I reach out to them.  A month later, I was at the school. 

Alex Khvatov:  Tell us about that outstanding junior campaign. 

Daniel Smith:  Out offense was explosive this past year.  Our RB Justin Covington is an explosive player.  WR Changa Hodge is also an explosive player with the ball in his hands.  RB DeeWil Barlee stepped in for Justin as a true freshman.  Jaaron Hayek was a freshman receiver who took over some games last season.  We have an experienced OL coming back.  All of my success goes to my teammates.  I scored 45 TD’s, over 3,200 passing yards and 400 rushing yards last year.  I was locked in on the other team.  I watched a lot of film and was ready for every opponent. 

Alex Khvatov:  What are your strengths?

Daniel Smith:  I am a personable guy.  I get to know teammates.  My knowledge about football.  Coach Boden is fantastic.  His schemes are super great.  All of the players love him.

Alex Khvatov:  What areas of your game are you trying to improve upon?

Daniel Smith:  I always try to get smarter with the X’s and O’s.  I am able to see the movements from defenders that give coverages away.  I also need to have better timing with my WR’s.    

Alex Khvatov:  What is the highlight of your career up to this point?

Daniel Smith:  There are a couple of them.  The Davidson game during my redshirt freshman year.  I ran for a ton of yards.  I was 20 yards shy off the NCAA record.  I broke Campbell’s single season game record.  The second one was against JMU this past season.  I have a lot of friends that went there.  I wasn’t recruited by them.  I was an in state kid.  I never played in a big stadium like that.  My third favorite moment was beating Delaware at the end of the year.  Villanova hates Delaware.  Changa (Hodge) had a lot of receiving yards.  He had eight catches for 236 yards and four TD’s.    

Alex Khvatov:  What is the biggest lesson that you have taken away from your coaching staff at Villanova? 

Daniel Smith:  Coach Boden is a smart and personable guy.  He is very open.  He has shown me that it is not all about football.  You have to build relationships and know how to treat people. 

Alex Khvatov:  What is your favorite NFL team?

Daniel Smith:  The Redskins.  If Snyder backs off, we will be alright.    

Alex Khvatov:  Who is your favorite NFL player?

Daniel Smith:  Drew Brees is so quick and concise.  He doesn’t have that big arm, but he makes great decisions and hits his receivers open.  Lamar Jackson and Patrick Mahomes are athletic freaks.    

Alex Khvatov:  Which QB do you try to model your game after?

Daniel Smith:  Drew Brees.  I also like Tom Brady’s approach. 

Alex Khvatov:  What players on your team should we keep an eye on for this upcoming season?

Daniel Smith:  WR Changa Hodge had a breakout season as a junior.  Covington is coming back from an ACL surgery at RB.  He is electric with the ball in his hands.  It is hard to bring him down.  He is a special player.  Paul Grattan is an NFL guy.  He is a mean dude.  He is blue collar and comes to work.  LB Forrest Rhyne is all over the field.  He works harder than anyone else.  He loves the game.  DE Malik Fisher is quick off the ball.  He is a big dude who can pass rush.  CB Jaquan Amos is a lockdown guy.  He had two pick-sixes in the first three games.  I hope everyone stays healthy.  We have lots of weapons.      

Alex Khvatov:  Who is the best player that you have faced on an opposing team?

Daniel Smith:  John Daka from JMU.  He was always in the backfield.   

Alex Khvatov:  What is the most important trait for a QB?

Daniel Smith:  Confidence in yourself and everyone around you.  You can’t play tentative. 

Alex Khvatov:  What do you enjoy most about football?

Daniel Smith:  I am happier when I play football.  It is the most fun I have.  I love the adrenaline roller coaster ride.  I am calm when I am in there. 

Alex Khvatov:  What are your hobbies?

Daniel Smith:  I play video games.  I play the guitar.  I am on the nature trail.  I like to be on a boat on the river.    

Alex Khvatov:  What is your definition of a leader?

Daniel Smith:  Somebody who doesn’t just say something.  Somebody who walks the walk.    

Alex Khvatov:  What makes you unique?

Daniel Smith:  I have a sense of humor and good mannerisms.  How I hold myself.    

Alex Khvatov:  What do you want to do with your life after your football career is over?

Daniel Smith:  I am not sure yet.  I have some ideas in my head.  After football, I might go back to school.  I want to stay involved with sports, either coaching or representing athletes.    

Alex Khvatov:  What five words best describe you?

Daniel Smith:  Competitor, poised, hardworking, intelligent, and fun.