NAOTB: Sammy Smith
McKinzie Green, Athletics Communications
Each week, McKinzie Green of 12thMan.com checks in with a newcomer on the Texas A&M soccer team.
This week, graduate transfer Sammy Smith chatted about coming to Aggieland after four years in New England.
At what part of the transfer process did you decide to come to Texas A&M?
“I tried to slow the transfer process down a little bit. I didn’t want to decide right away because back in high school, I felt like I rushed the recruitment process a little bit. So, I wanted to take my time with this one. I entered the transfer portal in November, and I took the whole month of December to really hear coaches out and keep my options open. Once the New Year rolled around, I decided to narrow it down to a top five and visit my top two. I took a visit here and Clemson. After my visit here, it felt right.”
Are you excited to play in front of the 12th Man?
“I’m looking forward to playing in front of the 12th Man. The crowds back in Boston are nothing like what I hear the crowds are like here.”
What’s your favorite thing about being in Aggieland so far?
“I’m enjoying getting to know the team and getting closer with them on and off the field. Everything is kind of new to me because it’s a complete 180 from where I’m from. So just being able to take everything in around me and getting new experiences in all aspects of life is exciting.”
What are your career aspirations after graduating college?
“The pro route is my top priority, whether that’s in the States or overseas. I’m not sure which way I’m going to take it yet, but I want to play as long as I can.”
Who would you say is your biggest soccer inspiration?
“Currently, I’d say (Erling) Haaland because I want to learn how to play like him and I think that he’s one of the smarter forwards out there. I love watching him play and he finds different spaces on the field. I like his clinical finishing and I want to emulate that.”
What have the coaches been working on with you for your own player development?
“I’m a fifth year, so right now my developments are just tweaking little aspects here and there in my game. I think the biggest thing for me is focusing on the next play and getting whatever mistakes I make out of my head. Not focusing on those and moving on and keeping my head up. Just moving on to the next play type thing.”
What do you think are your best soccer attributes?
“I think that I read the field pretty well. I always have my head on a swivel, so I know where people are. I can play as quick as possible, and I know which spaces to play people in. I want to bring that to this team and give the younger players those kinds of attributes. I think I’m a good finisher as well.”
What did you like about A&M while on your visit?
“Definitely hanging out with the team because I got to hang out with them more than my other visits. Then Coach G took me on this whole campus tour and gave me the entire history of A&M. It was very eye opening and it’s amazing how historical this school is and there’s so many traditions.”
What are your career ambitions after you’re done playing soccer?
“I definitely want to get a high-paying job. I want to put my degrees to use. I got my undergraduate degree at Boston College in business and I’m getting my graduate degree in entrepreneurial leadership here. I want to get into the marketing field of the business world. I have some connections through family and friends. So, I’ll probably lean on this in the future.”
What are your earliest memories of playing soccer?
“I have two older brothers, so whatever sports they played, I played them too. Soccer was one of the first ones that I got into. I played softball too, but I never really could hit the ball at a fast pitch speed. But my earliest memory would have to be when we were playing soccer in our backyard, and we kicked the ball up in a tree and we sent my oldest brother up there to get the ball. It was funny, but we survived.”
What did you know about A&M before you came here?
“Honestly, I didn’t know anything other than how they’ve performed in the past. Seeing them in the tournament because I would watch the NCAA Tournament every year. But that’s what I wanted out of this last year. I wanted something completely different, and it can’t get any more different from Boston than this.”
When did you realize soccer was something you wanted to do long term?
“Probably in my club days, once I started getting a little bit better. Also, once my family started investing a lot of money into it. I was thinking that this must go a long way because I want to pay it back to my parents for all their hard work and everything that they went through.”
