Poised to settle into a mode of stability on East Carolina's offensive line after making move initially from the defensive side of the ball and then the tight end position as recently as November, 2008 ... An imposing and highly-touted local product who now is expected to open his junior year penciled in as the projected starter at left tackle ... Opened career as a defensive tackle, was moved to end early during freshman campaign to provide additional depth before relocating to offense last summer ... While work ethic allowed rapid growth and development in just three short years, missed an additional opportunity to enhance and fine-tune preparation efforts after missing the entire 2009 spring practice period with a lower leg injury ... Has added approximately 25 pounds to an already strong body since arriving in program ... Blends quickness with a high level of intensity and enthusiasm. 2008: Played in all 14 games, mostly in a special teams role ... Opened the campaign as a tight end but was then relocated to the tackle slot prior to the Southern Miss game ... Experienced 48 snaps as an offensive lineman and was credited with two knockdown blocks ... Made line debut against UAB with participation in 11 plays ... Logged 37 snaps the following week against UTEP and recorded both knockdowns against the Miners to help ECU establish season-highs in total yards (475) and points (53) ... Began sophomore season in a battle with J.R. Kraemer for top reserve standing behind Davon Drew at tight end (before move to tackle). 2007: A redshirt freshman who played in 11 games and recorded seven tackles (two solo, five assists) ... Credited with one TFL (-1 yard) ... Tallied a career-high three stops against UAB before adding two more a week later vs. Memphis ... Also booked single tackles against Houston (first career stop) and UCF, which resulted in lost yardage ... Forced first fumble against Knights ... Made collegiate debut at Virginia Tech, but did not record defensive statistics ... Did not play against North Carolina and Southern Miss. 2006: Redshirted ... Solidified optimism of recruitment process with impressive stint on scout team as a true freshman ... Officially signed with Skip Holtz' program in February, 2006. High School: Provided a key impact in one of North Johnston's top seasons in school history as a senior ... Led the Panthers to a 14-1 record, a conference championship and regional runner-up status in 2005 by spearheading a defensive unit which allowed just a paltry 11.8 points per game ... Booked 107 stops (92 solo), 30 tackles for lost yardage, 14 sacks, 17 quarterback pressures, three forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries, six batted passes and one interception during senior campaign ... Netted 41 tackles (25 solo), six sacks, 17 pressures and 11 hits behind the line of scrimmage as a junior in 2004 ... In all, earned three football letters and served as team captain during senior year ... Added four more basketball letters as a center ... Signing at ECU marked the first time in the 40-year history of the North Johnston football program that a player inked with a NCAA Division I-A program ... Coach was Ken Avent, Jr. Personal: Full name is Willie Junior Smith ... Born November 13, 1986 at Smithfield, N.C. ... A business (management) major ... Brother-in-law (Dre Barnes) played collegiate football at I-AA member Liberty (running back) ... Hobbies include basketball, music and cards ... Favorite NFL player is Julius Peppers ... Earned selection to the ECU Athletic Director's Honor Roll for work in the classroom. |
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