Boise State roster countdown 2020: Day 39, A.J. Smith

By graybandit2k@TheProski Jul 28, 2020, 10:13am PDT

NCAA FOOTBALL: DEC 23 Poinsettia Bowl - Boise State v Northern Illinois

We’re into the dog days of summer, but also into the 30’s on the countdown. While football this fall may be up in the air, the countdown is never in doubt. ONWARDS!

#39, A.J. SMITH, RS JUNIOR, SAFETY

Stats

Height: 5‘10”

Weight: 187

High School: Edison HS (Fresno, CA)

How’d he get to the Blue™?

A highschool football champion and scholar-athlete, AJ Smith originally went to Lewis & Clark College. After playing there as a wide receiver for one season, he received a preferred walk-on offer from Boise State and transferred, sitting out the 2018 season.

Nickname

“Buzz”, mostly for the consistently short haircut he sports.

Look-a-like

As noted by Michael last year, A.J. bears a strong resemblance to Tyrone Crawford, former Bronco and current Dallas Cowboy.

Career Highlights

While not much is available on his highschool and LCSC days, A.J.made his debut in 2019 for the Broncos against Portland State, securing a solo tackle.

Former Edison Tigers defensive back AJ Smith will be a preferred walk-on with the Boise State Broncos.
AJ played with Tyler Horton with the Valley Championship 2014 team at Edison and now back playing with Tyler.
AJ is an outstanding Student Athlete and a tremendous DB. pic.twitter.com/EIcalM0I2S
— PAG METER (@PAGMETER) August 1, 2018

2020 Prospectus

Safety is an oddly deep position for the Broncos. JL Skinner and Jordan Happle likely lead the depth chart, but injury-plagued Evan Tyler made a name for himself last season. Short of some drastic attrition, AJ will likely be playing for special teams and garbage time.

That said, preferred walk-ons aren’t an everyday occurrence, and AJ has stuck around. It’s entirely possible the coaches have a role envisioned for him that doesn’t involve filling out a depth chart, but that remains to be seen.

Is he on Twitter?

That looks to be a negatory, peeps. If you’ve bumped into him on there, let us know!

Completely made up fact

AJ has a world-famous collection of tie clips, a hobby passed down from his grandfather.