Jimmy Smith

Jimmy Smith

Jimmy Smith was one of those players that put Mesa athletics on the map. He was a two-time NJCAA and Academic All-American who led the 1970 football team to a 10-0 season and a spot in the national championship game in Savannah, Georgia.

He established ten school records, including:

• Touchdowns in a season - 16 - since tied by Rashad Armstrong
• Career touchdowns - 24 - (now shared with T.C. Wright)
• Rushing yardage in a single game - 225 against New Mexico Military
• Rushing yardage in a season - 1,373

Overall, he amassed 2,243 total yards, which is a 5.3 yard rushing average. In his two years, the HoKams had a record of 17 wins and 3 defeats.

This native of West Mifflin Pennsylvania didn't have great size, but he was fast and had great balance. One of his coaches described his running style as "all legs." He had a high knee action that made him hard to tackle. He was the sparkplug of the team and everybody loved him.

Jimmy got a football scholarship to the University of Missouri and played against Arizona State in the 1972 Fiesta Bowl. He finished his college career at Northern Arizona.

Jimmy now lives in the Chicago area and is a supervisor with Homeland Security guarding power plants.