Cleared to play, Smith returns to practice

Boston College sophomore running back Jeff Smith, after sitting out six weeks with a concussion, practiced in pads Tuesday for the first time since training camp.

"I'm pretty sure I'm all set," said Smith, who wondered if he would ever play football again, given the lingering effects of the concussion. "I was hoping I could play again. I asked myself, 'What if I can't play?' "

In high school, Smith suffered a concussion while playing quarterback at Silver Lake. But the symptoms were gone after two weeks.

It was a different story this summer when Smith, carrying the ball in contact drills the week before the season opener against Wake Forest, was sandwiched. "Two linebackers hit me," said Smith. "I don't remember much about that practice."

This time, the symptoms lingered. "Migraine headaches and I was tired most of the day," said Smith, whom coach Jeff Jagodzinski had hoped would be his primary kickoff returner and an all-purpose back. "I was lightheaded."

The BC medical staff took the cautious route, letting time dictate when Smith would return. Jagodzinski said he checked the injury list each week and kept seeing Smith's name on it.

As tough as it was for the Eagles not to have Smith's services, it was tougher for Smith. He wasn't practicing. He wasn't even at practice.

"People were wondering where I was," he said. "I wasn't around [the practice field] at all."

There was even speculation that Smith was looking to transfer.

But Smith indicated there is no uncertainty about his future. "I'm happy at BC," he said.

It was even tougher on Smith on game days, when he was sitting in the Alumni Stadium stands instead of on the sideline.

Team rules say players who aren't dressed for the game must stay in the stands, said Smith, who had to endure more questions. Now he hopes the rumors will stop and he can resume his playing career.

Jagodzinski had talked about redshirting Smith if the symptoms didn't clear up. But he also told Smith, "As soon as you're healthy, you're ready to go."

"I want to go out and contribute with all my teammates," said Smith. "I took a few hits [Tuesday]. I was a little nervous going into the first practice. After I took the first hit, I was more comfortable."

The wait is over.

"It was very frustrating," Smith said. "It was a long six weeks.

In the nick of time

Jagodzinski said that Nick Larkin, who has been out with a knee injury since the second game of the season, will start at defensive end Saturday against Bowling Green . . . BC ranked third among bowl-division programs with a 93 percent graduation rate for 1997-2000, tied with Duke, Notre Dame, and Stanford. Navy was first at 95 percent, followed by Northwestern (94).