Steve Smith | University of South Carolina

Wide receiver Steve Smith lets his performances speak for themselves.
His name is often hidden behind the more recognizable Dwayne Jarrett.
The senior wide receiver considered entering the NFL draft after the 2005 season, but chose to return for a final season at USC.
His decision appears to be a smart one with the numbers he’s putting up in 2006. The 6-foot, 200 pound standout leads the Trojans with 42 receptions for 698 yards and seven touchdowns.
Smith almost willed USC to the win in the Trojans 33-31 upset loss at Oregon State. Smith made a key fourth-down reception on the Trojans’ final drive, which was capped by his two-yard touchdown reception with seven seconds left that brought USC within 33-31. But the game and USC’s 27-game Pac-10 winning streak ended when quarterback John David Booty’s pass on the two-point conversion was batted down.
Smith did his part with 11 catches for 258 yards.
He is third in the Pac-10 for receiving yards with 87.2 per game, behind Oregon’s Jaison Williams in second (95.3) and Oregon State’s Sammie Stroughter (96.1).
“They deserve respect,” cornerback Jairus Byrd said of Smith and Jarrett. “It comes with the territory. But at the same time we’re up for the challenge and we’re excited about it.”
– Jeffrey Dransfeldt

A.J. Tuitele

Listed at 5-feet-11-inches and 213 pounds, junior linebacker A.J. Tuitele is not the biggest or fastest player on the football field.
But what he lacks in size or speed, he makes up for in his ability to make plays by being in the right spot at the right time.
Tuitele is fourth on the team in total tackles with 45 including four tackles for a loss.
He’s also been thrust back into a starting role after Brent Haberly went down with injury.
“A.J. was a starter last year and he got hurt and never really recovered,” Oregon coach Mike Bellotti said.
Last season Bellotti saw Tuitele as one of the defense’s playmakers until the injury occurred.
Bellotti sees that same ability this season except Tuitele’s been making big plays regularly.
“He is now making plays but is playing more consistently,” Bellotti said. “He understands the defense, he’s in the right place and his mere presence stops other plays from happening.”
Tuitele will be playing close to his home in Long Beach, Calif., when the Ducks take on USC on Saturday. For him, the homecoming will be his chance to show his friends and family that he’s taken his playmaking ability to the next level.
– Jacob May