4. Smith began his career as a wide receiver and only recently made the switch to running back.
A wide receiver through the first three years of his collegiate career, Smith moved to running back ahead of the 2024 season upon the advice of SMU Head Coach Rhett Lashlee, and as it turns out, the impetus for the move was an effort to emulate Chiefs’ tailback Isiah Pacheco.
“It just so happened we’re watching the [Kansas City] Chiefs play and Isaiah Pacheco was playing great. I remember texting Coop during the game and being like, ‘Hey, how much does Brashard weigh?’ He hit me back and it was like 10 pounds less than Pacheco.”
He might just be a player at running back, Lashlee thought, and Cooper agreed. They called Smith and said if you want to come play a new position and be a kick returner, they were in. Smith was too.”
The move worked out tremendously well, and in a twist of fate, Smith is now teammates with the player who inspired his shift to running back.