Smith overlooked? Not any more

Tyrod Taylor picked Virginia Tech. Virginia landed Pete Lalich. West Virginia swooped into Central Virginia for Orange County standout Bradley Starks.

Lost in the shuffle during the recruiting wars for signal callers in 2007 was quarterback Torrey Smith.

Rated as the No. 28 prospect in the state after a stellar career at Stafford High School, Smith was all but ignored by the in-state schools (and WVU) as they leaned on their early verbal commitments.

Virginia (2-3, 1-0 ACC) could pay the ultimate price Saturday as it travels to Maryland (2-4, 1-1). The contest starts at 4 p.m.

Smith, lucky with numerous return opportunities due to high-scoring games, enters the game leading the country in all-purpose yardage. His total of 1,420 yards is nearly 400 more than second-place Darius Marshall of Marshall.

“Clearly, if we foresaw him being the type of player that he is now, he would be returning kicks for Virginia,” Virginia coach Al Groh said. “We’re not above admitting that there is a player that certainly has turned out to be superior to what many people thought, including ourselves. “Regardless of what the circumstance was in the past, he’s a superior college football player.”

With veteran Chris Turner in place at quarterback, Smith was slotted at wideout, but provides most his magic on special teams.

Blessed with great speed, Smith has helped move the ball for Turner, as he is currently on pace for 60-plus catch season and over 1,000 yards.

“He’s one of the really exciting dynamic players in the Atlantic Coast Conference and he’s one of those versatile players of which we speak,” Groh added. “He has run reverses, he’s caught the ball, he’s returned kicks. He does a variety of things.

“He’s not just a receiver, but he’s got good elusiveness, he’s got good vertical speed. Early in his career I think he’s around fourth or fifth in the history of the ACC in kickoff return yardage.”

For Maryland’s coaching staff it goes deeper than the production on the field in regards to Smith.

“The type of individual he is, I would be proud to have him as my son,” Maryland coach Ralph Friedgen said. “He’s just a great human being. He’s very popular on the team. He’s a very caring person.

“Last week in the locker room, in the second half and also after the game, he just refused to quit. He’s very special to me.”