Dan McCarney brought him in, but coach Gene Chizik signed him on.

Jesse Smith, sophomore linebacker from Altoona, joined five other ISU football players who earned scholarships Sunday. Smith, who is listed at 6-foot, 235 pounds, learned of the announcement during a team meeting.

“After he [Chizik] said my name, you could see my smile from ear to ear,” Smith said.

Smith, who was recruited by McCarney, joins fullback Steven Ebner, placekicker Josh Griebahn, tight end Nick Howe, linebacker Chris Mehring and running back Alexander Robinson as those who were awarded scholarships.

“These men earned their scholarships, day-by-day,” Chizik said in a press release. “We don’t take this lightly, and we don’t make this award because of one good game and one week of good practice.”

Despite the reward from his coaches, Smith said nothing will change from his perspective.

“It basically has nothing to do with football,” Smith said. “Whether I’m a walk-on or scholarship, I’m still going to do the same thing day to day.”