Folks, we may be entering the year of Armorion Smith.
Last season, the veteran safety transfer from Cincinnati had some of the worst luck of anyone, losing his mother and then taking legal guardianship of his siblings. He was also dealing with an injury, so the entire 2024 season felt like a lost cause.
Entering the 2025 season, things are looking up for Smith.
Not only is he projected to play a large role in the defensive backfield as he's fighting for a starting job, but he was also named to the Comeback Player of the Year award watch list earlier this offseason. That means that Michigan State fans aren't the only ones who believe he is going to break out and live up to his potential.
On top of that, he has been receiving praise from coaches throughout the month of August.
Defensive coordinator Joe Rossi piled on with more praise on Tuesday, telling the media that Smith is one of his smartest players, singling him out when asked about players who have impressed him.
Joe Rossi: “We got a bunch of smart players. I will list one guys who impresses me. Armorion Smith. He’s doing things I can’t do at his age. No one studies the game like he does. He asks, and knows, ‘the why.’ When we make a change, he asks the why in the office with us.”
— Emmett Matasovsky (@E_Matasovsky57) August 26, 2025
Rossi praised Smith's high football IQ, stating that he's doing things that he couldn't do at his age, and he's always asking questions about changes that are made. He wants to know the reason behind everything that is called and the changes that are made. That's the sign of a smart player with a bright future.
Smith is receiving a ton of praise this offseason for a reason, so if you're looking for a breakout candidate on the defensive side of the ball, he may be your guy.