Smith brothers leaning on each other in first season at Illinois

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Sep. 4—CHAMPAIGN — Maurice Smith Jr. and Champ Smith haven't had to resort to a chore wheel at home.

Not yet.

But living together for the first time since Maurice graduated from Vero Beach High School in Florida in 2022 has been an adjustment for the Smith brothers since they arrived in Champaign in January.

Someone has to take out the trash.

Sweep the floors.

Do the dishes.

All without mom or dad — Tenice and Maurice Sr. — around to dole out those responsibilities.

"It's one thing growing up with your brother," Maurice said. "You've always got your parents as that adult figure. Now it might be a little bit different where I say, 'Hey, man, come on now, the trash has been there for two days.' It's funny stuff like that we sort of bump heads with."

While a chore wheel hasn't been necessary, the Smith brothers have worked out a simple system.

"If you did the mess," Champ said, "you clean it up."

"Usually it gets to the point whoever's in the house yelling the loudest, 'Hey, man, take out the trash!'" Maurice added while laughing. " It's probably me being the one who's directing the chores being done. Wanting to make sure the trash is being taken out. Wanting to make sure the dishes are being washed, the floors swept. I've tried to make sure we stay on top of our house being clean."

Cooking is more every brother for himself. Their status as Illinois football players — Maurice is a fifth-year tight end, Champ a four-star freshman offensive lineman — means a lot their food needs are taken care of at the Smith Center.

At home their personal tastes take precedent.

"My brother, he cooks for himself," Champ said. "He likes that hibachi. I'm more Mexican food. I'll be making my own quesadillas at home."

That the Smith brothers can share this opportunity — these moments together — at Illinois is something both are grateful to have.

Maurice received his Illinois offer last November and signed Dec. 3 after spending two seasons at Division II Chowan University in Murfreesboro, N.C., and two seasons at Long Island. A second transfer for the now 6-foot-4, 255-pound athlete that came with a position switch from quarterback to tight end.

Bret Bielema and the Illini signed Champ later that same early December day, flipping the four-star Vero Beach lineman from UCLA amidst a bevy of power conference offers.

"That was one of the factors in me coming to the University of Illinois," Champ said. "It was amazing that Coach B. decided to offer my brother and bring him in. That was big time. Obviously, we have our arguments — we're brothers — but it's going well. I enjoy having someone to talk to about everything.

"At first, I clinged to him a lot. The coaches literally made us separate. We can't even work out together."

Champ's reliance on his older brother has changed during his eight months in Champaign.

Illinois offensive line coach Bart Miller said the 18-year-old freshman stood up in the offensive line room during training camp and shared how close he felt to his teammates. That was something Miller said wouldn't have happened in January or February.

"I look back on my first camp, and I kind of wish I had somebody there for me every night," Miller continued. "Them going through this together is a great thing. I think they've made each other better. They've pushed each other. They've compared notes."

"What an awesome deal that is that not many people get to do," Illinois tight ends coach Jared Elliott added. "Mo's been not only a big brother to Champ, but a mentor. Everyone goes through that freshman adjustment period in college. For Champ, it's great to have a guy that's already done it and lived it."

Maurice has tried to strike a balance between being the big brother and letting Champ find his own way during his freshman year. The elder Smith's experience moving from Florida to New York to North Carolina and now Illinois to continue pursuing football gives him perspective his younger brother doesn't have.

"I'm trying to make sure I take every burden off of my little brother because I know the growing pains when you do move into a new spot and how to make those things a lot smoother," Maurice said. "I know what it's like to be in a whirlwind that first week or two. Sometimes I look back and will be like, 'Man, I was a freshman, and I was not trying to do my dishes. I wasn't trying to do my homework. I wasn't trying to go to study hall. I wasn't trying to make sure I was studying my plays extra.' But then I learned the importance of that quickly because one thing or another is going to catch up to you."

Watching Champ's growth the past eight months — both on and off the field — has stuck with Maurice. On the field, the 6-6, 330-pound lineman has made a strong case to be in Illinois' two-deep. Off the field, he's gone from semi-isolated, spending time only with his brother, to engaging with anyone and everyone on the Illini roster.

"He's a freshman, but he doesn't act like one," Maurice said. "He knows how to carry himself like a man. It's a beautiful thing. I would say it's like a proud father moment."

Maurice burst into laughter after that latest statement before he turned serious again.

"He's not my son," Maurice said, "but it's a blessing for sure to see what the Lord is doing in his life."

This will be the lone season the Smith brothers get to play together in college, with Maurice exhausting his fifth and final year of eligibility with the Illini. Champ projects to be a significant piece of Illinois' offensive line future.

That's why Miller has challenged Champ beyond relying on his natural physical traits and football intelligence. To play with urgency. To understand the commitment extends beyond just "an hour-and-a-half every day at 3 o'clock" on the practice field.

Something Champ has embraced through winter workouts, spring practice, summer workouts and training camp ahead of the season opener against UAB on Thursday night.

"Coming in, you have to learn the system, and there's so many intricate things you have to pick up in this system," he said. "Learning that and picking that up led to me playing fast and physical. (Assistant offensive line coach Byron Bell) is just telling me come off the ball. It's OK if you mess up. Come off the ball, hit somebody and be dominant."

Champ's done that on the field since his arrival in Champaign. Then he returns home to spend time with his brother and maybe get a reminder it's time to take out the trash.

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