Major: Zoology (1991-92), Undecided (1990), Medicine (1989)

Weight: 250 (1991-92), 255 (1990), 240 (1989)

1992 Media Guide: Smith is one of the top middle guards in the Big Ten … a second team all-conference selection in 1991 … combines intelligence, strength and quickness with great desire … 63 tackles last year was fourth best on the team, but tops among the defensive line … tackle total included 10 tackles for loss and four sacks … matched his single-game high in tackles with 10 against Washington State (also had 10 against Air Force in the 1990 Liberty Bowl) … always gives 100 percent and has been one of the Buckeyes’ most consistent players the past two years … originally a walk-on, he was converted to scholarship at the end of spring practice in 1990 … enters the 1992 season with a string of 24 consecutive starts and has 24.5 tackles for loss the last two years … recruited by a number of smaller colleges, but was passed over by most Division 1 schools because of his lack of size.

1991 Media Guide: Will be in his second season as the starting middle guard … coming off an outstanding year in which he led the Big Ten in quarterback sacks with seven and was third in the league in tackles for losses with 14.5 … wound up the year with 63 tackles, including a career-high 10 in the Liberty Bowl … also had eight tackles against Michigan … originally a walk-on, he was converted to scholarship at the end of spring practice in 1990 … overlooked out of high school because of his lack of size, but is a tough, hard-nosed player who has shown he belongs in the Big Ten … winner of the Jack Stephenson Award last year as the Buckeyes’ top defensive lineman.

1990 Media Guide: Has steadily worked his way up the ladder since walking on in the spring of 1988 … played behind Pat Thomas last year and will start this year … strong spring showing enabled him to win a starting berth … awarded a scholarship at the end of spring practice … has worked hard at every phase of the game to get where he is … makes very few mistakes and has really improved from a technique standpoint in the last year … tough, physical player … also an honor student … a member of the Big Ten’s All-Academic team last year.

1989: Played in seven games as a reserve and had three tackles.

1989 Media Guide: A walk-on who has made a strong impression with the coaching staff … coming off a very good spring in which he greatly improved his technique … finished the spring as the No. 2 nose man behind Pat Thomas … has worked hard in the weight room to increase his strength … will play a lot of football for OSU if he continues to improve.

1988: Walked on in the fall and was redshirted.

HIGH SCHOOL: All-Northeastern Ohio as a senior … also wrestled and won All-American Freestyle recognition.

PERSONAL: Hobbies are fishing and hunting … wants a career in sports medicine.