Morton senior cornerback Martece Smith is aiming high.
But the Toledo commit has done his homework. Smith has followed the career of Quinyon Mitchell, who played for the Rockets and was picked by the Philadelphia Eagles in the first round of the 2024 NFL draft.
“The goal has always been the NFL, and Toledo, they’ve done it before,” Smith said. “I’ve seen them get guys to the league, so I know it’s possible.
“I look at what Avery Smith is doing right now. You know Quinyon, obviously. Those two are guys I really like to watch on film to see what I need to do when I get there to get on the field early.”
Morton coach Mac Mishler doesn’t doubt the 6-foot-1, 165-pound Smith can do it.
“He’s just a great kid who has all the physical tools and the mental capability,” Mishler said. “As long as he does the things he’s supposed to do over the next few years at the college level, he’s going to put himself in position to have a chance to realize those goals.
“I understand the percentages, but I’ve seen guys I’ve coached make it to various levels of the NFL. It all comes down to what Martece is willing to do daily to put himself in a position to work toward that goal. If he’s going to have a shot at the NFL, then he needs to hold himself to that higher standard every single day in everything he does.”
That begins in Hammond, where Smith intends to do his best to help Morton win its first sectional title since 2012. The Governors (6-3) will play visiting Merrillville (7-2), which is ranked No. 5 in the Class 5A coaches poll, in the sectional semifinals at 7 p.m. Friday.
“It’s playoff time, so I’m really focused on that,” Smith said. “I want to go far this last year with Morton before I hit college because they’ve done so much for me and I just want to give back. I hope to leave the program in a better place than I found it.
“We’re locked in on the sectional championship. That’s the main goal. The last couple years we haven’t made it out of sectionals. But this year, we’re feeling different.”
Smith is one reason for the Governors’ optimism. Over two seasons as a starter, he has compiled 48 tackles with three for loss and two interceptions. A prototypical man-coverage corner, he has locked down one side of the field with consistency.
Mishler said Smith gives Morton a lift in other ways too.
“He can be a quiet kid, but when he loosens up, he can be very in-your-face funny,” Mishler said. “He’s a big punchline guy when it comes to making jokes, and when it comes to smack talk, you never know what’s going to come out of his mouth.
“Sometimes in practice, some of the stuff he says just makes you stop and laugh. … You just can’t help it. He’s got a personality that makes him fun to be around, and it allows him to come across as charismatic in every single way.”
Morton sophomore wide receiver/defensive back Ameer Daniels agreed, saying the “funny moments” are what he’ll miss most after Smith graduates.
“He’s actually really funny, surprisingly,” Daniels said. “But I can’t put those moments in the newspaper.”
Smith will bring his sense of humor to Toledo. A three-star prospect, according to 247Sports, Smith received seven offers. But the Rockets stood out. He credits cornerbacks coach Perry Eliano.
“It was really just the relationship with coach Eliano,” Smith said. “Other than that, they’re always a strong contender in the MAC, and they constantly produce great athletes at my position.”
Making the leap from high school to the Division I Football Bowl Subdivision doesn’t intimidate him. Smith is confident he can compete at that level.
“I’m not nervous at all,” he said. “I’m just excited about getting to learn the game even more and to have the opportunity to expand my own game.”
Smith is prepared to do just that.
“I’m gonna give it my all,” he said. “I’m ready to work.”
Noah Poser is a freelance reporter.
