Avery Smith would like to be a coach when his playing days are over.
Rocket Spotlight on Avery Smith
3/4/2025 8:53:00 AM | Football
On the switch from quarterback to cornerback, on his goal of getting into coaching and what he learned from Quinyon Mitchell
Avery Smith is a senior cornerback from East Point, Ga., just outside of Atlanta. A University Studies major, Smith was second in the Mid-American Conference in passes defended in 2024, earning second-team All-MAC honors.
On his family and growing up in Georgia
I grew up with my mom and my two brothers, one older and one younger, Kingston and Jonathan. I grew up on the south side of Atlanta. We're all really tight. We grew up in sports and love the game of football.
On the support of his mother
When I was in high school she never missed a game, and in college she makes at least three or four games a year. Being in Atlanta, that's a far travel. Just the way she raised me to be respectful, credit to her for being a single mom and raising me.
On being recruited to Toledo as a quarterback
I played quarterback from sixth grade to my senior year in high school. I was recruited to Toledo as a quarterback, but they saw I was athletic and knew that if being a quarterback didn't work out, I could move to anywhere on the field.
On the decision to switch to cornerback
I was an early enrollee. I came here in the spring semester, and during my first spring I played quarterback. In the spring, we get exit meetings with Coach Candle. It was a mutual decision between Coach Candle and me to switch positions. It was the best fit for me.
On the transition to playing defense
Honestly, it was very smooth. I was very raw, athletic playing out there, but credit to the players in the (cornerback) room. We worked out a lot. My coach at the time, Coach (Corey) Parker, developed me well, so it was a smooth transition.
On moving into the starting role as a junior last season
My sophomore year, I was a reserve player coming in when someone would get hurt or for a special package. After graduating two seniors at cornerback and another guy leaving as a transfer, I knew it was my time. I was ready for it, I worked hard, and I was excited for the opportunity. But I didn't know I was going to play 900 or something snaps.
Was there anything that surprised you last year?
Nothing surprised me. I had a lot of older guys who had mentored me and a great coach who came in, Coach (Perry) Eliano, who I feel like prepared me for a lot of the moments and everything that happened. I think I was well prepared and wasn't surprised by anything.
On the advantages of having had two positions coaches
I'd like to say that the two coaches I had, I had them at the perfect time. Coach Parker was more of a player's coach and helped me work through my struggles as a young player in figuring myself out. Coach Eliano has just pushed me to be great and pushed me to go to the next level. I couldn't appreciate him more.
On what he learned from Quinyon Mitchell
Q is like my brother. We talk almost every day. Our relationship, I would say, is competitive. We are always competing and wanting to be better than the other. He taught me a lot about the game, how to approach the game, how to watch film, how to be a professional in my craft. There are certain things you can't do, things that everybody else is doing, when you're a professional. He helped elevate and expedite my journey as a cornerback faster than I feel like most guys have.
On his plans for after his playing days are over
After football ends, I'd like to get into coaching. I haven't thought about it too much but I know I want to be around the game of football.
On dreams of playing in the NFL
Yeah, honestly, I think about it a little bit but I always try to put myself where my feet are right now. This season, we're trying to get back to the MAC Championship. Watching those guys (Darius Alexander and Maxen Hook) go to the Combine and the Senior Bowl, Q being in the league, winning a Super Bowl in his first year in the league, it's motivation. I want to get there, and I feel like I can get there.
On his overall experience as a Rocket
I call Toledo my second home. I feel like when I came here, as an 18-year-old kid, I was just a kid, and Toledo has helped me grow me into a man. The people here, there are people from everywhere -- Florida, Tennessee, Detroit. I met lifelong friends here. Coaches, I love the coaches here. I love the people outside of the football facility. I just love Toledo. I've been blessed to come here. I feel like it was a dream come true.
On his family and growing up in Georgia
I grew up with my mom and my two brothers, one older and one younger, Kingston and Jonathan. I grew up on the south side of Atlanta. We're all really tight. We grew up in sports and love the game of football.
On the support of his mother
When I was in high school she never missed a game, and in college she makes at least three or four games a year. Being in Atlanta, that's a far travel. Just the way she raised me to be respectful, credit to her for being a single mom and raising me.
On being recruited to Toledo as a quarterback
I played quarterback from sixth grade to my senior year in high school. I was recruited to Toledo as a quarterback, but they saw I was athletic and knew that if being a quarterback didn't work out, I could move to anywhere on the field.
On the decision to switch to cornerback
I was an early enrollee. I came here in the spring semester, and during my first spring I played quarterback. In the spring, we get exit meetings with Coach Candle. It was a mutual decision between Coach Candle and me to switch positions. It was the best fit for me.
On the transition to playing defense
Honestly, it was very smooth. I was very raw, athletic playing out there, but credit to the players in the (cornerback) room. We worked out a lot. My coach at the time, Coach (Corey) Parker, developed me well, so it was a smooth transition.
On moving into the starting role as a junior last season
My sophomore year, I was a reserve player coming in when someone would get hurt or for a special package. After graduating two seniors at cornerback and another guy leaving as a transfer, I knew it was my time. I was ready for it, I worked hard, and I was excited for the opportunity. But I didn't know I was going to play 900 or something snaps.
Was there anything that surprised you last year?
Nothing surprised me. I had a lot of older guys who had mentored me and a great coach who came in, Coach (Perry) Eliano, who I feel like prepared me for a lot of the moments and everything that happened. I think I was well prepared and wasn't surprised by anything.
On the advantages of having had two positions coaches
I'd like to say that the two coaches I had, I had them at the perfect time. Coach Parker was more of a player's coach and helped me work through my struggles as a young player in figuring myself out. Coach Eliano has just pushed me to be great and pushed me to go to the next level. I couldn't appreciate him more.
On what he learned from Quinyon Mitchell
Q is like my brother. We talk almost every day. Our relationship, I would say, is competitive. We are always competing and wanting to be better than the other. He taught me a lot about the game, how to approach the game, how to watch film, how to be a professional in my craft. There are certain things you can't do, things that everybody else is doing, when you're a professional. He helped elevate and expedite my journey as a cornerback faster than I feel like most guys have.
On his plans for after his playing days are over
After football ends, I'd like to get into coaching. I haven't thought about it too much but I know I want to be around the game of football.
On dreams of playing in the NFL
Yeah, honestly, I think about it a little bit but I always try to put myself where my feet are right now. This season, we're trying to get back to the MAC Championship. Watching those guys (Darius Alexander and Maxen Hook) go to the Combine and the Senior Bowl, Q being in the league, winning a Super Bowl in his first year in the league, it's motivation. I want to get there, and I feel like I can get there.
On his overall experience as a Rocket
I call Toledo my second home. I feel like when I came here, as an 18-year-old kid, I was just a kid, and Toledo has helped me grow me into a man. The people here, there are people from everywhere -- Florida, Tennessee, Detroit. I met lifelong friends here. Coaches, I love the coaches here. I love the people outside of the football facility. I just love Toledo. I've been blessed to come here. I feel like it was a dream come true.
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Monday, December 01
