Hungry for action: Linebacker Marquis Smith emerges as defensive leader for Savannah State

SAVANNAH, Georgia -- Savannah State linebacker Marquis Smith loves competition on and off the football field.

As a freshman, he battled Justin Dixon for the team lead in total tackles. Another fierce competition between Smith and Dixon emerged in an unlikely place.

“Even in the cafeteria eating food, we had to see who could get the most plates,” said Smith, who also spilled some of the guidelines. “There was a minimum of four plates. You had to try to get more than that.”

Dixon finished his eligibility last season, but Smith, now a junior, remains hungry to lead the Tigers defense without his friend who spent two seasons almost always by his side, literally and figuratively, in the lunch room and at middle linebacker.

“(Smith) might be one of the most underrated linebackers in America,” SSU coach Earnest Wilson said. “He can play on the line of scrimmage or play in the middle. He has great instincts and his speed and long arms help him cover a lot of distance.”

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