Dorian Smith’s personality stands out with his diverse interests.

Add in that he’s an Oregon State football player, and it really sticks out.

There is not enough time in the day for the senior defensive end to keep up with all aspects of his life, but trying is fun.

Fans see the speedy 6-foot-3, 260-pounder from Van Nuys, Calif., as one of the top ends in the country. He’s ranked the No. 23 end available in the 2008 NFL draft by NFL Draft Countdown.

Smith has 20 tackles and three quarterback sacks this season. Last year he had 11½ tackles for loss and nine sacks in his first season with OSU.

However, there’s much more to Smith.

“He’s a very versatile, well-rounded guy who has many different interests and it makes for an interesting human being,” coach Mike Riley said.

After transferring from Southern California’s College of the Desert after the 2005 season, Smith joined the fledgling Kappa Alpha Psi fraternity.

It’s a predominantly African-American fraternity, but has chapters worldwide with many nationalities, that began in 1911 because black men couldn’t join white fraternities at the time.

OSU’s group is only seven strong, but they try to make a difference in the community. Members give away turkeys before Thanksgiving, run a canned food drive before Christmas and help in the black cultural center.

“We try to do what we can,” Smith said. “It helped me stay grounded here. It takes up time, and it helps me to have friends in a different aspect of life other than football.”

Athletes don’t usually join fraternities because of the time commitment of the sport. However, Smith is a believer of the equality Kappa Alpha Psi stands for, which was another reason to join the group.

“At this school, it’s kind of a rarity,” Smith said. “When I showed interest, people were surprised. It takes a whole lot of time. I decided to do it in the summer when I first got up here. I went through it, and it was one of the best decisions I made in my life. I love my fraternity.”

Last spring the fraternity members began competing in step shows, or stepping. Those are organized group dances popularized by African-American fraternities and sororities.

They use canes as a prop in their routines because it’s something the African tribe Nupe did, which is the OSU chapter’s mascot. It’s in these tribes where their style of step dancing originated.

His spring was filled with school, football practices, being tutored in the evening and stepping practice late into the night.

“People would be weirded out seeing me do that, but it’s all about fun and getting to know each other,” Smith said. “It took a lot of work, but it’s worth it. It helps us get to know each other. It strengthened our fraternity.”

Smith is also a gearhead. He loves working on old cars, and wants to some day own a vintage car restoration business.

He recently bought a 1987 Monte Carlo to work on during his days off. During the football season that’s Sunday between film study and Monday between classes.

“I fell in love with old cars as a kid,” Smith said. “My grand dad showed me how to work on stuff. I’m learning to know the car inside and out.”

While all that is going on, Smith hopes to finish the season strong and try his luck at the NFL. Even though he has been successful, Smith has potential for much more.

He grew up as a baseball player, and didn’t start football until late at Los Angeles’ Birmingham High. Smith even sat out his first season of college at Alabama A&M due to problems being recruited.

After coming on strong for two seasons in junior college, he became a pass-rush specialist for the Beavers last year and now is an every-down player.

“He is a neat guy, and he’s just starting to get to the potential he has because of the lack of experience,” Riley said.

Smith hit the weights and studied film on standout ends such as former OSU player Bill Swancutt to learn the tricks of the trade.

“My whole goal this summer was to be a force against the run,” Smith said. “My hard work has transferred to that. Last year I was just focused on the pass and I didn’t do well against the run. I tried to work on getting stronger, and my hands. I challenged myself to do something different. I want to be an all-around defensive end.”

Once the season is over Smith plans to train for the NFL and see where his ability can take him.

He’s on track to graduate with a business degree in June. If playing sports doesn’t work, Smith hopes to get into sports marketing to go along with his car restoration.

“I’m just interested in a lot of things,” Smith said. “Like my grandparents always told me, you never stop learning. If something catches your interest, try to put your whole self into it. So everything I do is important to me.”

This article was provided by: Gazetta-Times
Written by: Cliff Kirkpatrick