Bad news out of the football team today, as sophomore running back Adonis Smith will apparently be leaving Northwestern.
A year after Arby Fields decided Northwestern wasn't the right fit, Northwestern's next touted, true California-grown running back who played as a true freshman is also going to leave. It's not immediately clear where he will be headed.
Smith was a good running back in a backfield starved for talent, and yet still didn't see the field as often as people hoped. Smith spelled as a freshman and even earned a start, showing his potential by running for 61 yards on 11 carries in Northwestern's bowl game. He figured to be a key part of NU's backfield as a sophomore, and busted out for a rushing TD in the team's season opener, but injuries sidelined him for much of the year, and while he wasn't playing, guys like Jacob Schmidt and Treyvon Green, and, hell, even Venric Mark were providing production instead.
I suppose Northwestern will be turning to Mike Trumpy and Treyvon Green to carry the ball next year - Adonis could've been helpful as a second or third back.
Never fun to see a player leave, especially one who showed flashes, but best of look to Adonis. His play and his name will be missed.