Just Call Him Godzilla Missouri sophomore Justin Smith is a monster at defensive end

Missouri defensive coordinator Moe Ankney was skeptical last
year when coach Larry Smith told him before the first preseason
practice that freshman Justin Smith would start at defensive end
for the Tigers. Then, when two-a-days started, Justin, a 6'5",
256-pounder, began running over any player who got in his way.
"I've never seen anything like it," says Ankney, now in his 35th
season as a coach. "I've had very talented freshmen, but even
the best ones took some time to climb up the depth chart. Justin
came in during our first pass-rush drill, and nobody could block
him. After that I knew we had a gifted player."

Nicknamed Godzilla for his ferociousness on the field, Smith
became the first true freshman in 12 years to start every game
for Missouri. He made 86 tackles--13 for losses--and had 3 1/2
sacks as the Tigers finished 8-4 and won their first bowl game
since 1979. In this year's opener, a 31-28 victory over
Alabama-Birmingham on Sept. 4, Smith picked up where he left
off, making nine tackles and blocking a punt, which Missouri
returned for a touchdown. His combination of strength (he has
lifted a school-record 460 pounds in the power clean) and speed
(he runs the 40 in 4.5) enables him to make plays most
collegians can't. On a fourth-and-two option play in Mizzou's
game against Colorado last season, Smith forced Buffaloes
quarterback Mike Moschetti to pitch to tailback Cortlen Johnson,
whom Smith then chased down for a four-yard loss. On a play
during the Tigers' 34-31 victory over West Virginia in the
Insight.com Bowl, Smith wasn't sure if Mountaineers quarterback
Marc Bulger had handed off to tailback Amos Zereoue, so he
tackled them both.

"I've only known a couple of players who could come in right
away and dominate the way Justin did," says Larry Smith, who
includes on his short list linebacker Junior Seau and defensive
end Willie McGinest, both of whom he coached at USC. "Justin's
just starting to scratch the surface. Everything he does is
based on natural ability. Once he learns technique, he's going
to be that much better."

Reserved off the gridiron, Smith takes on a different persona
when he steps between the lines. "I see football as a test of
manhood, and when I'm out on the field I'll do anything to win,"
says Smith, who is an avid weightlifter and carries a 3.5 GPA.

Though he's already one of the best defensive linemen in the
country, Smith realizes he's a long way from being a polished
player. "I've been happy with what I've been able to accomplish
in a short time, but I know there's a lot of room for
improvement," he says, adding that he's developing several more
subtle pass-rush moves to go with his bullish style. "What I did
last year doesn't mean anything now. My high school coach [in
Jefferson City, Mo.] once told me, 'You're only as good as you
are tomorrow.' I always try and remember that."

--B.J. Schecter

COLOR PHOTO: DAVID WALBERG