The Return of Bryan Smith

Matt Vautour has reported the return of Bryan Smith TB to the UMass football program. He played one season for UMass in 2004.

Bryan is the twin brother of Brandon Smith who had an excellent career as a free safety for the Minutemen.

When Bryan was originally recruited, he was the higher rated player. He received offers from several I-A schools.

This is a cut-and-paste from the original UMass recruiting press release.

"Bryan Smith Fr. TB 6-2 190 Bayonne, N.J. / Bayonne H.S. He enrolled at UMass for the spring semester, and will take part in spring practice ... Played for coach Ricardo Rodriguez at Bayonne High School, in Bayonne, N.J. ... Rushed 208 times for 1,687 yards and 26 touchdowns during his senior season, averaging 8.1 yards per carry ... Also intercepted three passes as a defensive back, returning one for a touchdown ... Had career totals of 3,336 rushing yards and 52 touchdowns ... Served as team captain during senior year, when team won the New Jersey Group 4 Section 2 championship ... Named Hudson County Running Back of the Year as a senior ... Earned third team All-State honors from the Associated Press ... Named to the Tri-State Select 22 High School Heisman Team ... Selected All-Hudson County and All-Conference following junior and senior seasons ... Also played basketball at Bayonne, averaging 19 points per game as a junior ... Identical twin of UMass freshman Brandon Smith. "Bryan is another outstanding running back from New Jersey, who we feel can make a major impact on our program. He is an outstanding athlete, like Marcel Shipp and R.J. Cobbs, but has more height and speed. Bryan is a very natural runner who sets up his blocks very well with his patience and outstanding vision. He is a home run hitter, who is a legitimate threat to score every time he touches the ball." - UMass running backs coach Mike Cassano "

If Smith can return to the form he had when we initially recruited him, he would be an impact player for UMass.

Welcome back Bryan!