Smith, Douglas Headline Football Spring Awards
STARKVILLE, Miss. ? Rising seniors Jamayel Smith and Dominic Douglas were named the top offensive and defensive players of the spring, head football coach Sylvester Croom announced on Tuesday. Senior offensive lineman Michael Gates and junior defensive lineman Kyle Love were also recognized as the most improved players on each side of the ball.
Smith, a wide receiver from East Point, Ga., led the Bulldogs with 33 receptions for 510 yards in 2007. He also paced the team with six receptions for 135 yards in a pair of spring scrimmages last week.
Douglas was the team’s second-leading tackler a season ago at his weakside linebacker position. A native of Clinton, Miss., he was recognized for his performance despite missing the last week of the spring practice sessions with an injured shoulder.
Gates started the final two games of the 2007 campaign and returned to his starting role at right guard throughout the spring. Love earned starts nine games a year ago and solidified his position in the interior of the defensive front during an outstanding 15 spring practices.