With the losses of linebacker Brian Atkinson and safety Lionel Hickenbottom to graduation, the lead returning tackler for the Huskie defense is senior strong safety Ray Smith. Following senior linebacker Javan Lee’s season-ending hernia surgery, the pressure will be on Smith and the Huskies’ secondary to shut down opposing teams’ pass attacks in games this season. NIU’s defensive captain sat down with the Star to discuss the upcoming season, his football future and the immortal Bo Jackson.

Northern Star: How’s the secondary right now? How will the team fare this year?

Ray Smith: I think we’re going to do great. We’re gelling together with all the two-a-days we’ve been doing.

NS: How did you feel when you first found out Javan will miss the season?

RS: I was disappointed. He was a big-time play-maker for us and he will be hard to replace. But we’ve got guys who can step up.

NS: What are your plans for the future? Are you going to pursue the NFL?

RS: If I have a chance to go to the pros, I’ll go for it. But for now, my plan is to get into coaching.

NS: Do you ever have any time off from football during the year, or is it like a marriage?

RS: I have time off here and there. This is my time off right now actually while you’re talking to me.

NS: What do you do in your spare time, outside of football?

RS: I just like to relax, play some video games and hang out with my guys.

NS: There’s a lot of hype surrounding Madden 2006. Do you own the game yet? If you were going to be one team, who would it be?

RS: Yeah I already bought the game. I gotta stick with the hometown team and say the Colts.

NS: Did you ever play Tecmo Bowl as a kid with the unstoppable Bo Jackson at running back? That man was a beast.

RS: Oh man, that’s the best game ever. I always played with Bo. Bo was probably the greatest athlete that ever played. He played a lot of sports and he played pro baseball too.

NS: Defensively, do you model yourself after anyone in the pros?

RS: Not so much now. But growing up, I wanted to be like Ronnie Lott and Jack Tatum.

NS: There’s some old-school names from the 70’s and 80’s, right there.

RS: I’m old school about football stuff like that.