Feeling right at home
11/13/2020 12:30:00 PM | Football, Gold Rush
Running back Christian Beal-Smith gives Demon Deacons key local connection
This is Christian Beal-Smith's fourth season as a member of the Wake Forest football program – in an official capacity.
In reality, he has been on board for much longer than that. Before he became a running back for the Demon Deacons, he was a young fan.
"Since I was 8 years old, my whole room was covered with Black and Gold," Beal-Smith said. "I grew up coming to football games here."
Much of that growing up process has evolved as a Wake Forest student-athlete. He brings a hometown tone to the Demon Deacons, a nice touch to go with the speed and power he has displayed out of the backfield.
By the time Beal-Smith was racking up 25 touchdowns as a high school senior at East Forsyth, the recruiting fervor had been going at a high pitch. Todd Willert, his high school coach, praised Demon Deacon staff members for making his player one of their priorities.
After all, player and coach had visited places such as Penn State, and it was clear multiple programs were in hot pursuit.
"Christian didn't want to go all over," Willert said. "He got the offer at one of the colleges he dreamed to go to. After he committed, Wake Forest obviously did a great job in keeping him."
The recruitment of Beal-Smith was a big deal for the Demon Deacons. Head coach Dave Clawson said that the player would be able to help elevate the program.
Offensive coordinator Warren Ruggiero was intrigued by the possibilities of making Beal-Smith one of the featured components in an emerging well-rounded offense.
"Christian was a huge recruit for us," Ruggiero said. "He was one of those kids a lot of times you don't land at Wake Forest with a high percentage – to have an incredible amount of offers from a lot of different places. I think his dream was always to come to Wake Forest since he was a kid, which was great for us."
Beal-Smith said he admired former Wake Forest quarterback Riley Skinner during his formative years. In some ways, Beal-Smith's initial development as a threat with the ball in his hands came by mistake.
He remembered being a kicker and punter on the Pop Warner level. One game while in punt formation, he mishandled the snap.
Not knowing what else to do, he just took off with the ball – and kept running. From there, the coaches decided it would be best to make sure he carried the ball more often.
"And I became a running back," he said.
By the time he reached Wake Forest, there were needed adjustments for Beal-Smith. Much of it involved patience because the Demon Deacons had developed a stout stable of running backs.
There was a redshirt season and then finding his spot in the pecking order.
"We were fortunate over the years to have some other really good running backs," Ruggiero said, mentioning Cade Carney and Matt Colburn II. "It's always nice to keep developing, and we didn't have to play (Beal-Smith) early."
Beal-Smith's role on the 2017 scout team proved valuable. The coaches noticed his work.
By the end of that season, one of the Beal-Smith's favorite moments as a member of the team took place – and he was on the sideline watching. That was the thrilling Belk Bowl victory against Texas A&M in Charlotte.
"Just that everybody worked so hard and we found a way to win," he said. "The excitement and joy. That made me fall in love with what the program is."
Then it was time for a more active role on game days. Beal-Smith was fully aware that there would be challenges along the way.
He said he aimed to learn from older running backs, remember the emphasis that Carney and Colburn stressed to run low and avoid standing so tall with the ball.
While things came so naturally in high school, he sensed the importance of refining his skills.
"I even went through that phase. I was the best in high school. Now we're at the top level where everybody on the team is good," he said. "I adjusted by having the mindset that I'm not the best football player on the field. In high school, I was bigger and faster. Now I know that I have to work harder.
"I learned to be patient. That made me who I am today. They really taught me how to be a better running back."
That included off the field work. He put on bulk, and now checks in at more than 200 pounds.
"Coach Clawson insisted I get bigger so I'd be more durable," he said. "I handle more reps and I'm taking more hits … and being able to block ACC linebackers."
It was a block earlier this season that helped spring teammate Donavon Greene's kickoff return for a touchdown against non-conference opponent Campbell.
"I saw that I could do that to help (Greene)," he said. "I love to see my teammates have success. It's about the whole team and not just what I'm doing."
That blocking didn't surprise Willert.
"I loved the block on that kick return," his high school coach said. "He just wants to compete and be out there. Anything you ask him to do, he'll do. He was one of those guys you had to rein back in at practice because he goes all out. That's what makes him different."
Still, there was a transition period, perhaps part of that hometown connection.
"There are definitely challenges sometimes to having a kid who went to high school right down the road and all his friends are still in town and all those things," Ruggiero said. "Christian has handled his business. He's a neat kid. (Having him in the program) has been awesome."
Beal-Smith liked to leave campus during his first year of college. He said it took time to forge close friendships, so it was easier to go home.
He recalls running backs coach John Hunter explaining that it would work best to begin creating an identity with his teammates.
"That was my biggest struggle," he said. "Coach Hunter sat down with me. It just felt like I found out who I was. I started being in the film room. … My family was even happy to have me out of the house."
Beal-Smith, who now lives off campus with teammates, said he's known for having a goofy side. That's a fun-natured element he's happy to supply.
"I just try to make everybody around me laugh," he said.
It tends to be working.
"It's good to see him out there smiling and playing football," Willert said.
Another part of the appeal of playing so close to home is the opportunity for people he cares about to see him in action.
"To make sure my family is always going to all my games," Beal-Smith said.
It's just an ideal combination.
"We knew he was a very talented kid," Ruggiero said. "One of those guys we were very excited to get. We knew he was going to have a great career."
If the running back's three-touchdown outing in early October is an indication, it's all coming together. Beal-Smith wants Wake Forest fans to appreciate what he does much like he appreciates the opportunity to put on that Black and Gold uniform.
"I hope they see a hard-working student-athlete who tries to love everybody equally," he said.
In reality, he has been on board for much longer than that. Before he became a running back for the Demon Deacons, he was a young fan.
"Since I was 8 years old, my whole room was covered with Black and Gold," Beal-Smith said. "I grew up coming to football games here."
Much of that growing up process has evolved as a Wake Forest student-athlete. He brings a hometown tone to the Demon Deacons, a nice touch to go with the speed and power he has displayed out of the backfield.
By the time Beal-Smith was racking up 25 touchdowns as a high school senior at East Forsyth, the recruiting fervor had been going at a high pitch. Todd Willert, his high school coach, praised Demon Deacon staff members for making his player one of their priorities.
After all, player and coach had visited places such as Penn State, and it was clear multiple programs were in hot pursuit.
"Christian didn't want to go all over," Willert said. "He got the offer at one of the colleges he dreamed to go to. After he committed, Wake Forest obviously did a great job in keeping him."
The recruitment of Beal-Smith was a big deal for the Demon Deacons. Head coach Dave Clawson said that the player would be able to help elevate the program.
Offensive coordinator Warren Ruggiero was intrigued by the possibilities of making Beal-Smith one of the featured components in an emerging well-rounded offense.
"Christian was a huge recruit for us," Ruggiero said. "He was one of those kids a lot of times you don't land at Wake Forest with a high percentage – to have an incredible amount of offers from a lot of different places. I think his dream was always to come to Wake Forest since he was a kid, which was great for us."
Beal-Smith said he admired former Wake Forest quarterback Riley Skinner during his formative years. In some ways, Beal-Smith's initial development as a threat with the ball in his hands came by mistake.
He remembered being a kicker and punter on the Pop Warner level. One game while in punt formation, he mishandled the snap.
Not knowing what else to do, he just took off with the ball – and kept running. From there, the coaches decided it would be best to make sure he carried the ball more often.
"And I became a running back," he said.
By the time he reached Wake Forest, there were needed adjustments for Beal-Smith. Much of it involved patience because the Demon Deacons had developed a stout stable of running backs.
There was a redshirt season and then finding his spot in the pecking order.
"We were fortunate over the years to have some other really good running backs," Ruggiero said, mentioning Cade Carney and Matt Colburn II. "It's always nice to keep developing, and we didn't have to play (Beal-Smith) early."
Beal-Smith's role on the 2017 scout team proved valuable. The coaches noticed his work.
By the end of that season, one of the Beal-Smith's favorite moments as a member of the team took place – and he was on the sideline watching. That was the thrilling Belk Bowl victory against Texas A&M in Charlotte.
"Just that everybody worked so hard and we found a way to win," he said. "The excitement and joy. That made me fall in love with what the program is."
Then it was time for a more active role on game days. Beal-Smith was fully aware that there would be challenges along the way.
He said he aimed to learn from older running backs, remember the emphasis that Carney and Colburn stressed to run low and avoid standing so tall with the ball.
While things came so naturally in high school, he sensed the importance of refining his skills.
"I even went through that phase. I was the best in high school. Now we're at the top level where everybody on the team is good," he said. "I adjusted by having the mindset that I'm not the best football player on the field. In high school, I was bigger and faster. Now I know that I have to work harder.
"I learned to be patient. That made me who I am today. They really taught me how to be a better running back."
That included off the field work. He put on bulk, and now checks in at more than 200 pounds.
"Coach Clawson insisted I get bigger so I'd be more durable," he said. "I handle more reps and I'm taking more hits … and being able to block ACC linebackers."
It was a block earlier this season that helped spring teammate Donavon Greene's kickoff return for a touchdown against non-conference opponent Campbell.
"I saw that I could do that to help (Greene)," he said. "I love to see my teammates have success. It's about the whole team and not just what I'm doing."
That blocking didn't surprise Willert.
"I loved the block on that kick return," his high school coach said. "He just wants to compete and be out there. Anything you ask him to do, he'll do. He was one of those guys you had to rein back in at practice because he goes all out. That's what makes him different."
Still, there was a transition period, perhaps part of that hometown connection.
"There are definitely challenges sometimes to having a kid who went to high school right down the road and all his friends are still in town and all those things," Ruggiero said. "Christian has handled his business. He's a neat kid. (Having him in the program) has been awesome."
Beal-Smith liked to leave campus during his first year of college. He said it took time to forge close friendships, so it was easier to go home.
He recalls running backs coach John Hunter explaining that it would work best to begin creating an identity with his teammates.
"That was my biggest struggle," he said. "Coach Hunter sat down with me. It just felt like I found out who I was. I started being in the film room. … My family was even happy to have me out of the house."
Beal-Smith, who now lives off campus with teammates, said he's known for having a goofy side. That's a fun-natured element he's happy to supply.
"I just try to make everybody around me laugh," he said.
It tends to be working.
"It's good to see him out there smiling and playing football," Willert said.
Another part of the appeal of playing so close to home is the opportunity for people he cares about to see him in action.
"To make sure my family is always going to all my games," Beal-Smith said.
It's just an ideal combination.
"We knew he was a very talented kid," Ruggiero said. "One of those guys we were very excited to get. We knew he was going to have a great career."
If the running back's three-touchdown outing in early October is an indication, it's all coming together. Beal-Smith wants Wake Forest fans to appreciate what he does much like he appreciates the opportunity to put on that Black and Gold uniform.
"I hope they see a hard-working student-athlete who tries to love everybody equally," he said.
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