This spring though Smith is healthy.

"It feels pretty good to be back," Smith said. "The day that I got hurt, the trainers told me after the game that I have to come in to the training room and work hard to get back on the field.

"I came in and did what I was supposed to do. I went into work every day, and helped my team out by being able to come back out on the field in the spring.

O'Brien notes that this spring is an important one for the sophomore.

"I think he's fine physically, and he's a guy that understands the game," O'Brien said. "He knows how to line up. He anticipates things, he recognizes things, which are good things to do and a good place to be. He can certainly get better and better as we go along here. He needs as much work as he can get this spring because he missed so much time last year."