Who Is Keith Smith?

Is anyone in college sports as versatile as Purdue's wide receiver Keith Smith? Coming to Purdue as a freshman, Smith was a benched quarterback. So Keith Smith is a quarterback? No. Later in the season after Purdue had it's share of injuries to the defensive back positions, Smith was tested in the safety position where he made several appearances and recorded 11 tackles as a freshman. So Keith Smith is a safety? No. Smith did not play his sophomore year but was officially moved from safety to wide receiver later that season. During Purdue's season opener against Northern Colorado this year, Smith started the game as a wide receiver. So is Keith Smith a wide receiver? After his tremendous performance as a wide receiver last Saturday, we all hope he stays there.

Smith showed a lot of potential on Saturday in his outstanding show against Northern Colorado. Keith Smith scored the first touchdown of the season with a 26 yard reception from Curtis Painter during the first quarter. Smith is leading the team in catches with 6 receptions for 67 yards resulting in one touchdown.

Even though Smith is a former quarterback, he is still capable of taking a hit. During the game last Saturday, Smith carried a defender on his back for an extra three or four yards. He is a big target, and I expect Painter to look for him numerous times during the many games to come this season.