Armorion Smith pressed his palms together over the bridge of his nose, closed his eyes and leaned against the kitchen sink. The 21-year-old Michigan State defensive back needed a moment in the four-bedroom,

Michigan State's Armorion Smith was born and raised in Detroit and initially went to Cincinnati for school -- but needed to come home to care for his mom and his siblings.

Armorion Smith's mother died in August and without a father in his family’s life, he became head of the household while studying and playing college football.