Dalvin Smith’s football career has been a story of patience.

It took until his senior year at Glasgow High School to put together a full resume that caught college recruits. Then he waited another season before he could even join Western Kentucky’s football program for workouts and practice.

Between the time off to strengthen his knees that have mostly been roadblocks in his career and get ahead academically, Smith is ready to learn from a veteran wide receiver unit and make his own presence felt.

“It’s been a slow process because I grayshirted,” Smith told the Daily News last week after practice. “Now I’m back in the groove of everything and it’s starting to feel normal back playing again. It feels pretty good.”

The freshman Smith joined the Hilltoppers during winter program and is practicing this spring among a wide receiver group with nine returners from last season. Smith and Manny Allen are two receivers practicing with the team now who will be classified as freshmen this fall.

It was more than a year ago when Smith agreed to grayshirt for former coach Mike Sanford’s Hilltoppers, meaning Smith would take classes before joining the 2019 signing class this spring on a full scholarship.

Sanford was fired in November and new coach Tyson Helton’s receiver-friendly system has Smith eager at any opportunity he can get this spring to showcase his skillset.

The 6-foot-3, 185-pound freshman spent 2018 working out on his own and strengthening his legs after two separate knee injuries cost him two seasons of football in Glasgow.

“I mainly just tried to lift on my own and do a couple of workouts here and there to stay in shape,” Smith said. “I’ve come a long way. My legs have gotten a lot stronger since I got up here with (strength and conditioning coach Jason) Veltkamp. He’s helping me a lot.”

Smith started his prep career as a defensive back for the Scotties before moving to receiver as a sophomore in 2015, but that was derailed by a season-ending leg injury. He rehabbed and came back ready for his junior year, but another injury in a preseason scrimmage put those plans on hold another season.

Glasgow finally got a healthy Smith by 2017 and watched him flourish at quarterback, receiver and defensive back. He completed 67 passes for 920 yards and 13 touchdowns, rushed 582 yards and eight touchdowns and had 20 receptions for 444 yards and seven scores.

He also racked up 25 tackles and three interceptions on defense.

Smith also turned in a full season with the Scotties’ basketball team averaging 11.7 points and 7.3 rebounds per game.

Smith put together tape for several positions, but receiver is where he felt strongest.

“I feel like I can do a lot more at receiver than I could at quarterback,” Smith said. “I like being in open space one-on-one with a DB. It’s a lot easier going to catch the ball instead of going to break on it.

“I love the system. Coach (Chris) Chestnut is going to be honest with us and that’s what we have to have in our lives.”

Chestnut, WKU’s first-year wide receivers coach, said Smith brings a unique talent that will be refined as he develops within a group of veterans led by redshirt seniors Quin Jernighan and Lucky Jackson.

“He’s a long strider and he can go up and get the ball. He can jump. Those are great attributes for a receiver,” Chestnut said. “He’s got a chance to be special.

“Very raw talent. We’re going to work on the details in his route running and all that good stuff. He’s doing a good job. He wants to learn and he wants to be good and that is where you have to start. He wants to do those things. I’m excited about his growth.”{&end}