Marla Ridenour: Former Saints, Buckeyes defensive end Will Smith more than just a pass rusher

Will Smith stood against the concrete block wall at Ohio State’s Woody Hayes Athletic Center in 2003 and it seemed like one of the few times the wall had met its match.

Then 6-foot-4 and 265 pounds, Smith was a rock solid All-America defensive end who had returned for his senior season in hopes of capturing back-to-back national championships. The subject was OSU’s chance for its third consecutive victory over Michigan, but before he left Smith talked about how a man his size could drop so effectively into pass coverage.

I can’t remember his answer, but I was impressed by his confidence about what for most was such a challenge. He sloughed it off as if it were easy.

At that moment, it felt…