After redshirting last season, Meridian High School alumnus J’Mar Smith didn’t have much time between his first and second year in Ruston, La., before Louisiana Tech head coach Skip Hotlz dialed up the two-sport athlete.

Following the unavailability of starting quarterback Ryan Higgins, due to a DWI infraction in early August, Holtz named Smith the starter for the Bulldogs’ Sept. 3 season opener at Arkansas. Smith dazzled in his collegiate debut, throwing for 212 yards and rushing for a touchdown as Louisiana Tech nearly pulled off the upset, falling 21-20.

Smith, who also plays baseball, said the trip to Fayetteville, Ark., ranks as his marquee moment.

“My first start at Arkansas was probably the best memory I ever had,” the 20-year-old said. “We competed as a team, and everyone came together. Everybody doubted us and said Arkansas was going to blow us out — we were 21-point underdogs. I understood what I had to do, and had to put the team in the best position to win, and just do the best I could, and (do) what Coach Holtz wanted me to do.”

Higgins returned to the lineup the following week against South Carolina State, but Smith still tallied a passing touchdown and went 4-of-4 for 51 passing yards in that contest. He also accumulated statistics against Massachusetts, Rice and Texas-San Antonio, and finished the season 30-of-43 for 412 passing yards and two touchdowns with an interception, while rushing for 62 yards and two ground scores. 

The 6-foot-1, 222-pound Meridian native said the Arkansas start left him well-suited to handle the rigors of his first full season.

“It really just drove home the point that I could do anything I put my mind to,” he explained. “It taught me to stay confident and be humble, never rush anything and always pray about it. You don’t know when your time’s going come, and mine came a little early. I had to do what I had to do and prepare myself, like always. Once you prepare yourself, I think you’ll be ready for any obstacles that anyone throws at you.”

Louisiana Tech went 9-5 overall and 6-2 in Conference-USA play this season, and ended the year with a 48-45 win in Fort Worth, Texas, against Navy in the Lockheed Martin Armed Forces Bowl.

Smith, who is majoring in business administration/management, said the coaching staff at Louisiana Tech imparted advice to him that he drew upon through the course of the year.

“Stay humble — never get down on yourself, and always have a positive attitude,” he said. “Never get into a slump — always stay level. Keep your mindset straight, and stay away from all of the distractions. Do the best you can. (The coaches) give you an opportunity for a reason — they see something in you. They’re not going to just waste it, or let you waste it. So, give it your best every time.”