Around this time last year, Nebraska nose tackle Le Kevin Smith was mulling a jump to the NFL.

Friday, Smith was clearly grateful he stayed for his senior season. 

“I wouldn’t trade it for anything,” Smith said in a rare session with reporters, on hand for Nebraska’s Alamo Bowl media luncheon at Memorial Stadium. “I’m so happy with the time I got to spend with the guys in the locker room. I got to meet all the freshmen that came in here. We had some real good ‘character’ guys.’ ”

Nebraska’s veterans and rookies bonded and performed well enough to produce a 7-4 record and a bowl matchup against Michigan (7-4) on Dec. 28 in San Antonio.

Throughout the season, the 6-foot-2, 305-pound Smith mostly avoided reporters, declining interview requests.

“I just didn’t want to be a distraction,” he said. “I felt if I stayed on the low and did what I did in practice, that probably would be best for the team this year. Just talk to guys behind the scenes instead of talking in public.”

Smith’s approach seemed to work. His improved aggressiveness and overall effectiveness in the middle of the line helped Nebraska lead the nation in sacks with 46 and tackles for loss with 115. Toiling in the interior with fellow senior starter Titus Adams, Smith produced a career-high five sacks among his 37 tackles. His 10 tackles for loss pushed his career total to 33, third all-time among NU interior linemen and tied for 10th overall.

A native of Macon, Ga., Smith today will be among 10 Husker football players who will receive their degrees at commencement ceremonies at the Devaney Sports Center. Smith earned his diploma in construction management.

“It’s been a real long road,” Smith said. “It’s been a lot of injuries, a lot of coaching changes.”

Smith said his college years have helped define him as a person. A crucial moment occurred Oct. 8 in a loss to Texas Tech. For a moment, Nebraska had the win in hand. With 1:13 remaining and NU leading 31-27, Smith intercepted a pass that was tipped by middle linebacker Corey McKeon. Smith, however, tried to run with the ball and was hit from behind. Smith’s fumble was recovered by Tech’s Danny Amendola at the Husker 19-yard line.

  Smith could have sealed a Nebraska win by simply falling to the ground, as Tech was out of timeouts. The Red Raiders ended up prevailing 34-31.

“That weekend I had a lot of stuff go wrong,” said Smith, referring to charges of third-degree assault and disturbing the peace for allegedly assaulting a university parking cadet who had issued him a parking citation. “It was something that held me down for a couple of games. It took me awhile to shake.”

Smith received support from teammates as well as a “spiritual” boost from defensive line coach John Blake.

“I was real hard on myself after that game, but I think it was something that was needed,” Smith said. “It was more of a reality check. I’m a leader, and a leader shouldn’t make mistakes like that. You should always be aware of what to do in all situations.”

Smith understands that he wasn’t trained to react to the situation in which he found himself in the waning moments against Texas Tech. How often do defensive linemen pick off passes in that situation? He understands that fact, but he doesn’t want to hear it.

“For me, that’s an excuse,” he said. “I hold myself to a higher standard.”

Smith said he replayed the moment in his mind for weeks. In fact, he stopped replaying it only a couple of weeks ago, he said. He said he learned to learn from his mistakes and plow forward.

Now which play does he go over in his mind?

“I’m replaying the whole Colorado game in my head,” he said, referring to Nebraska’s 30-3 triumph to end the regular season.

Briefly

Other Husker football players graduating today are Adams, Daniel Bullocks, Seppo Evwaraye, Tyler Fisher, Sam Koch, Jake Peetz, Gary Pike, Joey Robison and Mark LeFlore. LeFlore, of Omaha, completed his undergraduate work in only 3½  years.

Reach Steven M. Sipple at 473-7440 or ssipple@journalstar.com.