Former ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ Wildcats running back Darrius "Bam" Smith, who entered the transfer portal in December following the 2021 season, , where he will reunite with former UA head coach Rich Rodriguez.Â
Smith, a 5-foot-9-inch, 187-pound Houston native, was a part of Rodriguez's last recruiting class at ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ in 2018, which former ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ head coach Kevin Sumlin inherited after RichRod was fired.Â
Smith, a redshirt sophomore, was with the Wildcats for four seasons, but participated in three of them after opting out of the pandemic-influenced season in 2020. Smith finished his ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ career with 57 carries for 301 yards and four all-purpose touchdowns. Smith attempted to fight for a role in ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥'s rushing attack during Jedd Fisch's first season at the UA, but Smith fell behind Michael Wiley, Drake Anderson, Stevie Rocker and Jalen John.
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Running back Darius "Bam" Smith kicks up chunks of turf while running through a footwork drill during the University of ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥'s preseason practice on Dick Tomey Field, ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥, Ariz., August 19, 2021.
The Wildcats returned the aforementioned running backs and also added four-star L.A.-area star Rayshon "Speedy" Luke and Stockton, California product Jonah Coleman, who had an impressive stretch in the spring ball period.Â
For Smith, he'll actually have a chance to play for Rodriguez after all. And Rodriguez has a pair of his former UA assistants with him at Jacksonville State, such as offensive coordinator Calvin Magee and quarterbacks coach Mike DiAngelo.Â
Contact sports producer Justin Spears at 573-4312 or jspears@tucson.com. On Twitter: @JustinESports
Justin Spears
Sports Reporter
