Who’s the man?
There was little doubt Monday at West Aurora as football practice in Illinois opened for the 2023 season. And the nod goes to junior wide receiver Terrence Smith.
“You don’t find many kids with Division I offers for basketball and football,” said Ron Murphy, quarterbacks coach/offensive coordinator for the Blackhawks. “I’ve gotta get that guy the ball a lot.”
The 6-foot-5 Smith is an athletic wing who holds basketball offers from Northern Illinois, Stony Brook and Bryant.
In football, the highflying Smith ran a 4.59-second 40-yard dash this spring at the North Central College camp. It followed a season of 36 receptions for 629 yards and six touchdowns last fall for struggling West Aurora (1-8).
He has Mid-American Conference football offers from Akron, Ball State, Central Michigan, Kent State and Western Michigan.
Smith surged last season in the second half when senior Andrew Kolich, the team’s leading receiver, went down with an injury.
“It’s when we found out this kid is big time,” West Aurora coach Nate Eimer said. “It was partly because he got more touches, but you can see it on the basketball court. He’s a gamer. He likes the big moments and going against better competition.
“As a receiver, his ability to high point a football is special. Some kids have that, some don’t.”
Smith takes pride in it.
“Throw the ball up, you’re gonna get some yards,” he said. “I think I’m pretty reliable.”
As for his future?
“I feel like whatever sport takes me the farthest,” Smith said. “I don’t want to make a decision too early.
“There’s not that much pressure on me. We should have a lot of guys on the team who can contribute. It’s not just me, although I plan on having a great season, better than last year.”
It will be the fifth and final season in the Southwest Prairie Conference for West Aurora, which returns next fall to the Upstate Eight. In football, the Blackhawks are winless (0-19) in the league’s strong West Division.
The preconference schedule is less formidable this season, and Eimer believes a fast start will help against a Southwest Prairie West gauntlet late. He looks for improvement with 15 starters returning.
“Put it in perspective, though,” Eimer said. “We have returnees, but we didn’t play great last year. Where I get excited is we had six or seven sophomores up last year, and our sophomores tied for first in conference on our side without them.
“We can do some things. We feel like we’re better up front, always key for us, and that we have more depth. That, plus you get guys with D-I talent, you have a better football team. That’s just how it works.”
Who will be getting Smith and other talented receivers the ball remains to be seen. Three quarterbacks — senior Reece Wagner, junior Kamron Tolliver and sophomore Mason Atkins — are battling to succeed three-year starter Gino Martino.
“In my 13 years, there have been times we had only one quarterback in the entire program,” Eimer said. “To have three kids who are all capable, it’s exciting.
“Doing 7-on-7s in the summer is fine, but we need to see them working with a line in front of them against guys with pads on.”
Michael Williams and Azuria Sylvester should lead some talented running backs. Targets at wide receiver include 6-6 Billy Samp, 6-3 Mason Jones, 6-2 Trey Kerns and 6-1 Dariyon Douglas.
And then there’s Smith.
“Terrence had a nice academic year last year, too,” Eimer said. “It’s a testament to his hard work. He’s not a risk. He can get it done.
“Whatever the kid decides, he’s gotta do what he wants to do. I think the best thing is he’s got the opportunities.”
