STILLWATER, Okla. — As a true freshman and fourth on the depth chart, Maealiuaki Smith didn’t travel during the first half of the season.
He was buried down the depth chart behind three players who had been around the Oklahoma State program for at least a couple years. He didn’t expect to play in his first season in Stillwater, much less start a game for the Cowboys.
But with season-ending injuries to Garret Rangel and Zane Flores, Smith was suddenly the Cowboys’ backup quarterback for their trip to Baylor on Oct. 26.
He didn’t play in Waco, but after a rain delay and the game essentially over against Arizona State the following week, Smith went in with just over seven minutes in the game. On his first drive as a college football player, Smith led the Cowboys on a seven-play, 51-yard touchdown drive.
Smith returned to action in the fourth quarter against TCU in Fort Worth the following week.
The true freshman started in the penultimate game of 2024 with Texas Tech in town and played part in a classic Big 12 shootout. He started again in the season finale blowout loss at Colorado.
In maintaining his redshirt, Smith played in four games. He threw for 489 yards on 44-for-74 passing with two touchdowns and four interceptions, while rushing for a touchdown against Texas Tech.
Now, he’s part of a four-man quarterback competition. He spoke with this reporter on Tuesday following the first practice of the spring.
Here’s everything the second-year quarterback said:
How was the first practice?
“Day one was good. It felt good to be back out here again. It felt like it wasn’t too long ago that we were here, but it feels good to get back on the field with a bunch of new guys and the guys that are returning. It felt good to be back.”
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