Aug. 15, 2007
The sixth in a daily series during fall camp, get to know another Aztec newcomer. Today, a conversation with freshman Aubrey Smith.
GoAztecs.com: How has your first week of practices gone so far?
Smith: It's going pretty well for me. The coaches have been throwing a lot of stuff at us right now, but I am slowly getting better and learning a lot from the upperclassmen.
GoAztecs.com: Is there anything specific your position coach has been working on with you?
Smith: Basically I just have to pay attention to my assignments and get lined up right, but everything else has been going pretty well.
GoAztecs.com: What is your favorite high school moment?
Smith: My favorite high school moment would be when we (Chaminade Prep) played Lancaster in the playoffs and one of our running backs made a 25-yard touchdown at the last second to win the game and advance to the semi-finals. That was the most exciting moment for me in my four years of high school.
GoAztecs.com: What are your impressions of San Diego so far and what will you miss most about your hometown (Mission Hills, Calif.)?
Smith: Like everyone else, I will miss my mom's home cooking, but San Diego has been great. The weather and the people here are really nice. I love it so far and it's a great fit for me. I will miss home at times, but I'm not homesick right now.
GoAztecs.com: What is your favorite home cooked meal?
Smith: Probably my mom's macaroni and cheese. That's a pretty good dish.
GoAztecs.com: Do you come from a large family?
Smith: No, I just have two older brothers.
GoAztecs.com: What are you looking forward to about classes?
Smith: I'm excited about getting the chance to be in a college classroom and learn in a college environment. I know you have to stay on top of your work more than in high school, but I think I'm ready for it.
GoAztecs.com: Do you know what you will be studying at San Diego State?
Smith: I will be majoring in comparative literature as of right now.
GoAztecs.com: What do you like about comparative literature?
Smith: I love to write, which is my strong point. Also, with that major I can get into law or teaching after college.
GoAztecs.com: What are some of your hobbies?
Smith: I'm usually on the internet a lot, checking out ESPN.com. I also like to listen to music.
GoAztecs.com: Do you play any instruments?
Smith: No, not any more. I used to play the trumpet back in the day.
GoAztecs.com: Do you have a favorite NFL team?
Smith: My favorite team right now is the Carolina Panthers because of (running back) DeShaun Foster. I used to watch him a lot at UCLA.
GoAztecs.com: Who is the best player you went up against in high school?
Smith: It's actually a tie between (UCLA wide receiver) Marcus Everett and (UCLA tight end) Logan Paulsen.
GoAztecs.com: If there is one team you could put on the schedule in the future, who would it be and why?
Smith: Notre Dame, because I went to middle school with (freshman quarterback) Jimmy Clausen and it would be really fun to play against him.