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22 CAVALIER CORNER schools as Clemson, Oklahoma and Ala- bama, but for various reasons he's still look- ing to break through at UVA. In 2019, an asthma attack sent Smiley to the hospital and limited him to two games. In 2020, a season played under strict COVID-19 protocols, Smiley again appeared in only two games, this time because of a knee injury. Smiley made more of an impact in 2021. He played in eight games, three of which he started, and recorded 7 tackles and 3 quarterback hurries. But he's capable of much more, and he's trending in a positive direction. An unexpected coach- ing change followed the Wahoos' 2021 season, with Elliott taking over for Bronco Mendenhall, and Smiley is blossoming un- der the new staff. "As people, as soon as they stepped on Grounds, they made themselves feel like family to me," Smiley said. "On the field, as far as play calling and stuff, it took me quite a while to adjust to their schemes and their new ways, but after I got that down I was able to be productive." In a one-on-one meeting with Elliott before the start of spring practice, Smiley said, "I just talked to him about my expectations for myself, and he gave me his expectations for me. "I basically told him, 'I want this year to be the year for me. I've been hurt. I haven't been making any big-time plays. I haven't been a leader.' "And I told him, 'I'm putting my full foot on the gas as far as working out, eating better, taking care of my academics and everything like that.' "I carved out this path for myself, because I was just tired of being sick and tired. I'm tired of just sitting around. It's time for me to ramp it up a little bit for this program." Smiley's position coach is former UVA great Chris Slade, who still holds the ACC record for career sacks (40). Growing up in Chesapeake, Smiley heard his father and his grandfather talk about the exploits of Slade, who'd starred at nearby Tabb High School. Slade, who played in the NFL for about a decade, coaches UVA's defensive ends, and Kevin Downing works with the defensive tackles. Slade has formed a strong bond with Smiley. "I don't like to use the term 'favorite play- ers,' but he's one of the guys I've really en- joyed coaching so far," Slade said. "He's an aggressive, physical kid. He has probably the most upside and most potential out of all the D-linemen. Not saying he's best player or the best D-lineman, but he has the most poten- tial to be the most dominant. "He's very explosive, and he's strong at the point of attack. Now, he might line up in the wrong place, but he's pretty disruptive when he's doing the right things." Like several of his teammates, Smiley was reluctant at first to embrace Elliott's philosophy. "He's another one that was kind of 'one foot in,'" Elliott said. Elliott's message to Smiley was clear. "'You're either fully committed, or you're not going to make it, because it's going to be too hard,'" the coach recalled telling Smiley. "'I'm not going to relent, because you're got too much ability, you've got too much potential. And I want to pull it out of you. But you can't resist. You've got to trust the process.' "And once he started trusting the process, everything about him improved." Smiley has had three position coaches at UVA: Vic So'oto, who was his lead recruiter, in 2019; Clint Sintim in 2020 and '21; and, now, Slade. " He's an aggressive, physical kid. He has probably the most upside and most potential out of all the D-linemen. Not saying he's best player or the best D-lineman, but he has the most potential to be the most dominant. " UVA DEFENSIVE ENDS COACH CHRIS SLADE Smiley flashed his potential last season, posting 7 tackles and 3 quarterback hur- ries. (Photo by Matt Riley/courtesy UVA)