Brad Smith always generated hype even if he didn't generate wins in four years as Missouri's starting quarterback.
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When he was a flashy freshman in 2003, talk was of Big 12 North titles — maybe even a Heisman Trophy — before he was through.
Now, Smith is history. In a literal way, because he has moved on to the NFL, and in a figurative way in Columbia, Mo., where he's been replaced in the hearts of Tiger faithful by young Chase Daniel.
Daniel, a true sophomore quarterback from Carroll High School in Southlake, Texas, has done something that Smith and every other Missouri quarterback since 1973 failed to do in their first eight games. He won seven of them.
In Smith's best season, his sophomore year of 2003, the Tigers opened 6-2 and finished 8-5 with an Independence Bowl loss.
Daniel could match that eight-win total with a victory over visiting Oklahoma on Saturday.
If Daniel manages to win three more this season, it will be the school's second 10-win season in history.
He's on pace to set the school record for completion percentage and passing yards, with a few more records in reach. He's already set school records for touchdown passes in a game and a season.
Daniel has succeeded with a special combination of talents that few quarterbacks have at such a young age, says his head coach, Gary Pinkel.
"There's a lot of people that can throw the ball 80, 75 yards, but there's very few with the courage, the ability to play under pressure, the ability to get hit and bounce back and all the things that happen on that field in microseconds," Pinkel said.
Those qualities had to be developed in Smith, Pinkel said. Same with Mark Brunell, who Pinkel coached at Washington.
But not Daniel.
"Of all the quarterbacks I've coached over the years — with Brad Smith, I think I've coached six NFL quarterbacks — and I've never had a guy come in and lead like this," Pinkel said. "He's a born leader, and it certainly has a huge influence on our football team."
Confidence was never an issue for Daniel. Playing for a high school team that won 47 games and two state championships will do that.
"He came in with a very confident, but not cocky at all, attitude," Pinkel said.
"He's an encourager. He's very positive of his teammates, but he's also demanding, in a positive way."
His demeanor and his leadership have endeared him to his teammates. Even some of the veterans look up to the kid who turned 20 years old earlier this month.
"He conducts everything," junior receiver Will Franklin said.
"He knows where everybody's supposed to be, and it makes it a lot easier on everyone else.
"He's always calm. He's always looking for ways to help each one of us get better or he knows something that we don't know. He gives us that sense of direction.
Daniel was recruited heavily by several Big 12 programs but not the one he wanted to play for. By the time his beloved Texas Longhorns offered a scholarship, he had turned his back on them and committed to Missouri.
Texas' offer only came after Ryan Perilloux committed to LSU, but Daniel didn't arrive in Columbia with a chip on his shoulder.
"He came in and demanded things, but he worked for it," Franklin said. "That's how he's been since he got here. It's just carried over and now he's successful for it. Everyone sees that and respects that."
Daniel's confidence got a boost last season, when Pinkel occasionally threw the true freshman into games for a series or two during the first half.
Daniel wasn't asked to win games, but he was getting experience when the game still meant something.
"You get in there with the game on the line as a true freshman and you have to go in there and make plays," Daniel said.
"I think we were able to do that as a team and it gave me a lot of confidence that maybe I can go out there and play ball with some of these big-time teams in name."
Daniel gets his chance to prove it when OU visits Faurot Field Saturday morning.
And the Sooners know what they're up against.
"We want to try to put some pressure on him," OU defensive end Calvin Thibodeaux said of Daniel. "We want to get back there as often as possible. He's definitely a great player, and we're looking forward to the challenge."
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