Ryan Smith named to CFPA FCS Punt returner Preseason Watch...

[Twentysix]

http://www.gobison.com/ViewArticle.d...CLID=205183412

North Dakota State University wide receiver Ryan Smith was named to the 2011 College Football Performance Award (CFPA) Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) Punt Returner Preseason Watch List on July 17.

Smith, a 5-foot-7, 172-pound sophomore from Wahpeton, N.D. (Wahpeton H.S.), returned 31 punts for 332 yards (10.7 avg.). That included a season-long 51 yard return against Morgan State (9-18-10). He had a season-high 146 all-purpose yards on five punt returns vs. the Bears.

Also named to the list from MVFC:

Justin Hilton, Indiana State

Myers Hendrickson, Western Illinois

[DjKyRo]

Cool deal, but if I weren't a Bison fan I'd have to raise my eyebrow at Smith's inclusion. Besides the Morgan State play, he never really had any spectacular returns, not to mention no touchdowns, and looked pretty indecisive a few times. Good speed and shiftiness which should translate to some big plays this season, but for a national publication to know that is pretty weird. Regardless, hope this bodes well.

[HerdBot]

Cool deal, but if I weren't a Bison fan I'd have to raise my eyebrow at Smith's inclusion. Besides the Morgan State play, he never really had any spectacular returns, not to mention no touchdowns, and looked pretty indecisive a few times. Good speed and shiftiness which should translate to some big plays this season, but for a national publication to know that is pretty weird. Regardless, hope this bodes well.

He had too many fair catches. Then I could tell he tried to return some that should have been fair caught. But we can't forget he was a true freshman. Lakes reported on another board that he is in a cast with a fracture. Not good for offseason workouts. http://bisonsports.net/3.3.07/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=2924

[onbison09]

That is a long list though. Still a really sweet deal for a sophomore

[Scooter1]

Why is Ryan Smith mentioned? Here's 3 reasons why.

1. If you look at the punt returners coming back, you will find that Ryan Smith is in the top 15. (top 10 in regular season)

2. Ryan Smith is the only Sophomore listed in the top 20 coming back.

3. Ryan Smith was a True Freshman which make it even more impressive.

Returners for 2011 coming back

1. SR Johnson /Murray St / 22.8
2. SR Moore / Idaho st / 18.33
3. SR Santana / Dartmouth / 17.22
4. JR Keith / Bethhune Cook / 13.71
5. JR Lahart / Drake / 13.53
6. JR Hujik / Dayton / 12.79
7. JR Nguyen / montana 12.79
8. JR Smally / Old Dominion / 12.69
9. SR Asa Jackson / Cal Poly / 12.59
- - So RYAN SMITH / NDSU / 12.54 (regular season)
10 JR Gunn / UNC / 11.81
11. SR Closener / SHSU / 11.52
12. SR Estelle / Tenn Martin / 11.47
13. JR Bonner / Jacksonville St / 10.79
14. SO Smith / NDSU / 10.71 After Post season
15. JR Kirshner / Albany NY / 10.37
16. JR Webb / William & Mary / 9.84
17. SR Hendrickson / W Ill / 9.31
18. JR Lawrence / Florida AM 9.21
19. JR Brown / Northwestern St / 9.20
20. SR Monson / Sacramento St / 8.42

[Bison101]

Why is Ryan Smith mentioned? Here's 3 reasons why.

1. If you look at the punt returners coming back, you will find that Ryan Smith is in the top 15. (top 10 in regular season)

2. Ryan Smith is the only Sophomore listed in the top 20 coming back.

3. Ryan Smith was a True Freshman which make it even more impressive.

Returners for 2011 coming back

1. SR Johnson /Murray St / 22.8
2. SR Moore / Idaho st / 18.33
3. SR Santana / Dartmouth / 17.22
4. JR Keith / Bethhune Cook / 13.71
5. JR Lahart / Drake / 13.53
6. JR Hujik / Dayton / 12.79
7. JR Nguyen / montana 12.79
8. JR Smally / Old Dominion / 12.69
9. SR Asa Jackson / Cal Poly / 12.59
- - So RYAN SMITH / NDSU / 12.54 (regular season)
10 JR Gunn / UNC / 11.81
11. SR Closener / SHSU / 11.52
12. SR Estelle / Tenn Martin / 11.47
13. JR Bonner / Jacksonville St / 10.79
14. SO Smith / NDSU / 10.71 After Post season
15. JR Kirshner / Albany NY / 10.37
16. JR Webb / William & Mary / 9.84
17. SR Hendrickson / W Ill / 9.31
18. JR Lawrence / Florida AM 9.21
19. JR Brown / Northwestern St / 9.20
20. SR Monson / Sacramento St / 8.42

And let's not forget, a North Dakota product!!!

[Mr. Burgundy]

Why is Ryan Smith mentioned? Here's 3 reasons why.

1. If you look at the punt returners coming back, you will find that Ryan Smith is in the top 15. (top 10 in regular season)

2. Ryan Smith is the only Sophomore listed in the top 20 coming back.

3. Ryan Smith was a True Freshman which make it even more impressive.

Returners for 2011 coming back

1. SR Johnson /Murray St / 22.8
2. SR Moore / Idaho st / 18.33
3. SR Santana / Dartmouth / 17.22
4. JR Keith / Bethhune Cook / 13.71
5. JR Lahart / Drake / 13.53
6. JR Hujik / Dayton / 12.79
7. JR Nguyen / montana 12.79
8. JR Smally / Old Dominion / 12.69
9. SR Asa Jackson / Cal Poly / 12.59
- - So RYAN SMITH / NDSU / 12.54 (regular season)
10 JR Gunn / UNC / 11.81
11. SR Closener / SHSU / 11.52
12. SR Estelle / Tenn Martin / 11.47
13. JR Bonner / Jacksonville St / 10.79
14. SO Smith / NDSU / 10.71 After Post season
15. JR Kirshner / Albany NY / 10.37
16. JR Webb / William & Mary / 9.84
17. SR Hendrickson / W Ill / 9.31
18. JR Lawrence / Florida AM 9.21
19. JR Brown / Northwestern St / 9.20
20. SR Monson / Sacramento St / 8.42

Great info. Sounds like the facts disagree with Mr. Media DJKYRO. Ha. Ryan did a fine job, especially for a true freshman. He will only improve.

[DjKyRo]

Great info. Sounds like the facts disagree with Mr. Media DJKYRO. Ha. Ryan did a fine job, especially for a true freshman. He will only improve.

Just thought it was weird that a sophomore made the list. I hope Smith tears it up and he certainly has the tools to do so.

[Bison"FANatic"]

I think a lot of us had the perception that he wasn't returning that many kicks with those numbers listed. A lot of it wasn't his fault he had to fair catch so many balls. The perception may come from the games beside the Morgan State game. If you take out the 5 returns for 146 yards he had in the Morgan state game it looks a lot more average. (If you take out this game out he doesn't make the list) But like was said he was only a freshman, he has the potential to take the experience from last year and become a weapon. Lets hope he can get it done.

[Scooter1]

I think a lot of us had the perception that he wasn't returning that many kicks with those numbers listed. A lot of it wasn't his fault he had to fair catch so many balls. The perception may come from the games beside the Morgan State game. If you take out the 5 returns for 146 yards he had in the Morgan state game it looks a lot more average. (If you take out this game out he doesn't make the list) But like was said he was only a freshman, he has the potential to take the experience from last year and become a weapon. Lets hope he can get it done.

You can't use that logic. Well, you can, but it won't factor in changes future teams make to prevent a returner from repeating a performance and other factors.

What if we did this to the FCS return leader from last year? If you look at FCS leader Johnson from Murray State and you exclude the UT Martin and Jacksonville game (6 returns in 2 games)....his average goes from 22.8 to 9.333 and he barely makes the list at 17.