No Gophers freshman in more than a decade had a better debut than Rodney Smith's 88 rushing yards in the season-opening loss to second-ranked TCU last year — and that was in a backup role.

Smith followed that up with 275 yards rushing combined in his first three career starts, highlighted by 108 yards in the overtime victory at Colorado State.

Yet it always was the plan to give fellow Georgia native Shannon Brooks a shot.

Brooks showed off his talent in the Big Ten, starting five games and leading the team in rushing. But Smith, a redshirt sophomore, is back in the starting role again with Brooks, the sophomore who was penciled in for this season's top spot, expected to be out three to five weeks because of a broken foot.

Brooks' big-play ability will be missed. Smith, though, is a strong leader and the team's best all-around back.

"Luckily, we still have a running back like Rodney," quarterback Mitch Leidner said. "Some of the things I've seen Rodney do in camp so far have been unbelievable. The cuts he's made, the catches he's made from a running back standpoint and just some of his runs he's had in general.

Rodney Smith, shown during the Gophers’ spring game in April, finished second on the team in rushing last year. “Some of the things I’ve seen Rodney do in camp so far have been unbelievable,’’ quarterback Mitch Leidner said.

"He's a tough, physical runner, and I think really the rest of those running backs can really look up to Rodney."

During captains' practices this summer, Smith was a sounding board for questions from the younger backs about how to stay focused when you're not getting carries.

"I just try to share as much knowledge as I can," Smith said. "I like that role, though, having the boys concentrate, because that's a big thing for us."

Leadership comes naturally for Smith. Nobody knows better than his former high school teammate Jonathan Celestin, a Gophers junior linebacker. They played together at Mundy's Mill High School in Jonesboro, Ga.

"It's great to see him develop these last two years," Celestin said. "His first year being redshirted was kind of rough for him because he was used to playing. Growing up, we were always used to being the main starters. When he came in and redshirted, that was a curveball thrown at him. He had to adjust. But now he's actually taking on a leadership role and being more vocal."

Besides being a mentor, Smith proved he can carry the load when called upon last year. Senior Rodrick Williams opened the season as the starter. But Smith took over early and led the team with 157 carries (107 in the first six games), including a 30-carry game vs. Kent State.

An ankle injury against Ohio State forced Smith to miss the Nov. 14 loss at Iowa. And he was limited to 15 carries for 55 yards combined in his last three games to end the regular season. But Smith bounced back with 74 yards in the Quick Lane Bowl victory over Central Michigan.

At 5-11, 205 pounds, Smith is not physically imposing, but he can run with power and speed. Junior college transfer Kobe McCrary, who stood out in Saturday's scrimmage, is a load at 6-1, 235 pounds and is another option with Brooks out.

But Gophers coaches have raved since Smith's redshirt season about his vision, pass catching and blocking ability being beyond his years. His versatility could lead him to be the team's best all-around back since David Cobb, who is now with the Tennessee Titans.

Fans enamored of Brooks' long runs last year (four touchdowns longer than 35 yards) might not recall that only 39 rushing yards on the season separated him from Smith (709 to 670).

When Brooks was healthy, Smith said the offensive line's goal was to block for two 1,000-yard rushers, which the Gophers haven't done since Laurence Maroney and Gary Russell in 2005.

Now that mark could rest on Smith's shoulders until Brooks returns healthy.

"We plan on having a lot of big plays," Smith said. "Last year, there were a lot of big plays left out on the field. Shannon didn't play three or four games [shoulder injury]. I missed a couple games with an ankle injury, and a couple of my runs, I should have scored. I got tripped up on, so it's definitely a lot of big plays that we left out on the field, and we need to capitalize on this year."