MORGANTOWN —
West Virginia quarterback Geno Smith has yet to throw his first pass as a member of a Big 12 team or against any other member of what is thought to be the most offensive-minded conference in the country, yet he comes into the year as the league’s preseason Offensive Player of the Year.
Smith was given that honor Wednesday while being named the first-team quarterback on the preseason all-Big 12 team, beating out Oklahoma’s returning quarterback Landry Jones.
Smith and teammate wide receiver Tavon Austin were the only Mountaineers earning preseason All-Big 12 honors, Austin being selected as a wide receiver and punt returner.
Smith joined Texas defensive end Alex Okafor and Oklahoma wide receiver Trey Metoyer in taking down the personal awards. Okafor was chosen preseason Defensive player of the Year while Metoyer was the preseason Newcomer of the Year in a vote of media representatives who cover the Big 12.
Smith leads the Mountaineers into their first season of Big 12 football. The 6-3 senior enters the 2012 campaign with 26 consecutive starts. He was an all-Big East first-team selection last year after leading the Mountaineers to their league title.
Smith threw for 4,385 yards in 13 games, the fourth-best total in the NCAA in 2011. He earned Most Valuable Player of the Orange Bowl after setting five of the bowl’s records and four BCS bowl records in WVU’s 70-33 win over Clemson.
Smith believes he’s prepared to have an even bigger year this season than last.
“I feel a lot more mature. I feel stronger. I put on weight and have gotten bigger. That adds a little confidence to my game, but overall it’s still the same game and I’m going to play it the way I always have,” he promised.
While confident, he remains modest and thankful for his gifts.
“I don’t think I’m the chosen one. I think I’m blessed to be here,” he said. “I’m blessed to be in this position as the starting quarterback two years going on three with this team in the great state of West Virginia.
“I’m playing for a wonderful university with some of the most amazing teammates and under one of the greatest staffs I’ve ever been a part of.”
Smith credits Coach Dana Holgorsen’s offense with bringing out the best in him.
“The biggest thing is we have Coach Holgorsen,” Smith said recently. “He’s the type of guy I am. He’s a perfectionist and I’m a perfectionist. I’m my own biggest critic. Nothing I do is ever good enough in my eyes, so whether we go into the Big 12 and put up big numbers or are mediocre, my biggest thing will be from day to day to make sure I am working as hard as I can to be the best possible person and player I can be.”
Last year Austin caught 101 passes for 1,186 yards and eight touchdowns. He also rushed the football 16 times, averaging 11.4 yards a rush while scoring once.
As a returner, Austin returned 19 punts for 264 yards, a 16.5 average, and ran back 36 kickoffs for 938 yards and two TDs, averaging 26.1 yards per kickoff return.
Okafor was a unanimous All-Big 12 First Team selection last season as well as an AFCA All-American. He posted 58 tackles, 14 tackles for loss, seven sacks, three pass breakups, 17 pressures, two caused fumbles and one fumble recovery in 2011 after transitioning back to defensive end from defensive tackle.
Metoyer caught 108 passes for 1,540 yards and 23 touchdowns as a senior in 2010 at Whitehouse (Texas) High School. He had at least 15 touchdowns in three straight years of prep ball and was listed as the No. 2 wide receiver recruit in 2011 by Rivals.com.
The media Preseason Big 12 Poll will be released today, followed by the annual Big 12 Football Media Days to be conducted in Dallas on Monday and Tuesday. Live video coverage, including press conferences and one-on-one interviews with a variety of guests, will be featured both days on the Big 12 Digital Network, including Big12Sports.com.
Email Bob Hertzel at bhertzel@hotmail.com. Follow on Twitter @bhertzel.
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Geno Smith named preseason Offensive Player of Year
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