2012 West #12
Dakota Smith
Full Back
5’8″ 180
High School Coach: Mike Farley
High School, Class: Grand Haven, A
College: Northern Michigan University
Dakota Smith is the son of Nathan and Jennifer Smith. Dakota has two younger siblings, a sister, Sydney (13) and a brother, Ryder (12). “Both are incredibly proud to have Dakota as a role model and big brother.”
Dakota started playing football in third grade. In fourth grade he moved to Grand Haven and began playing with the Tri-City Mariners. Throughout middle school and as a freshman Dakota played running back, quarterback and slot receiver. As a sophomore on varsity, Dakota once again found himself playing corner. As a junior Dakota started all 10 games at corner and was a major contributor to the Bucs record setting offense as both a running back and quarterback. At the end of his junior year, Dakota earned an OK Red All Conference Honorable Mention nod as a running back and was named to the Muskegon All Area second team as a running back. As a senior Dakota scored touchdowns rushing, receiving and threw a TD pass. He set the Grand Haven record for single season rushing yards (1371) and the single season record for TDs (22). He received several individual awards after his senior season, but being voted a captain by his teammates is the recognition he values the most. “Being voted captain by them was humbling because they all work so hard. It was a big motivation too; I never wanted to let them down.”
Dakota was a four-year varsity wrestler and on the varsity track team his freshman and sophomore years. Dakota is excited to continue playing for the Wildcats of Northern Michigan University starting this fall.
Dakota said, “I want to say how blessed I am to have the opportunity to play this game and just how thankful and fortunate I was to have such a great school and coaching staff. I thank Coach Farley for pushing me, Coach Larkin for believing in me way back when I was young and again the past two seasons. I thank my wonderful mother Jenn, my Aunt Mame and Uncle Dew. Thanks to my amazing little sister Sydney who came to all my football stuff and a huge thanks to James Richardson and his wife Melissa for their support. Thanks to the Grand Haven Community and my classmates. I will always strive to make you proud and represent us with excellence. A Big Thanks to my teammates – I will continue to “Prove It”, “Finish The Mission”, and “Win The Day” with my brothers in mind. And last but not least, I want to thank my little brother Ryder and my dad Nate. You guys are my biggest fans and have been behind me 100% for everything.”
Awards
Honorable Mention OK Red
All Conference Running Back, 2010
2nd Team All Area Running Back, Muskegon Chronicle, 2010
Ok Red All Conference Running Back, 2011
1st Team All Area Running Back, Muskegon Chronicle, 2011
1st Team All State Running Back, Detroit Free Press, 2011
Honorable Mention All State Running Back, Detroit News & AP, 2011