When Sutton Smith turned a 4-yard reception into the best highlight of Memphis football's 2023 season in the AutoZone Liberty Bowl, most fans had the same reaction — how'd he do that?

Turns out, Smith had the same thought.

"Literally, like, I couldn't even hear anything when I got in the end zone," Smith said. "I just got up. And then I saw the replay, and I was like, 'That's crazy.' I surprised myself a little bit."

He surprised himself because he turned what should have been a minimal gain on a 3rd-and-long into a 48-yard touchdown. Seemingly cornered by three defenders, Smith burst through the gap and then accelerated to the end zone, helping extend the Tigers' lead in the eventual 36-26 win.

It was borderline unbelievable — Smith might be the only player on the Memphis roster who could pull off something like that. But he also did it as Memphis' No. 2 running back, and that's a position he's likely to have again this season.

Blake Watson is off to the NFL, but coach Ryan Silverfield brought in South Carolina transfer Mario Anderson to fill his spot. That led to questions about Smith's role. How many carries would he get? And will he be used in other ways, like in the slot or in the return game? That's something coaches talked about last season, when Smith played more than he did in 2022 but had only 63 carries and 18 receptions.

"We can put him anywhere on the field," offensive coordinator Tim Cramsey said. "And we will."

Smith said he's never doubted that Memphis is the place where he'll reach his full potential, and he feels like 2024 will be his breakout season with an expanded role.

"I feel like, if that was the case last year, would I be as ready?" he said. "I don't know. This year, I feel more confident. Bigger, faster, stronger. I feel like it's just perfect timing. I didn't rush it. I trusted the process, and I learned a lot."

He's got a list of goals for this season, written on his bathroom wall so he never forgets. Return two kickoffs for a touchdown. Win the Paul Hornung Award, given to the nation's most versatile player. Win an AAC championship. Reach the College Football Playoff.

Smith is focused on continuing to work on his versatility, already at a high level considering he was named to the watch list for the Hornung Award. He wants to play in the NFL, of course. And he knows he'll probably have to play on special teams when he gets there.

"Of course, you're young, coming up in high school, you just want to be the star," he said. "You just want to get the ball. You don't really want to go down on a kickoff or nothing. But if you love the game, I feel like you'll do it."

Smith is confident the goals written on the mirror are attainable.

"That's the first part of it," he said. "Seeing the vision, believing it, praying on it. And then, at practice every day, working hard, being a good teammate, doing to little things, studying extra film. Doing the things other people aren't doing. And that's what it takes to win a championship."

Reach sports writer Jonah Dylan at jonah.dylan@commercialappeal.com or on X @thejonahdylan.

This article originally appeared on Memphis Commercial Appeal: Will 2024 be Sutton Smith's breakout season for Memphis football?