VIDEO: https://wisconsin.rivals.com/news/w...ukesha-catholic-memorial-tailback-corey-smith
STRENGTHS
I came into Friday night’s game between Franklin and Catholic Memorial with high expectations for Corey Smith, and the four-star back didn’t disappoint. It was also beneficial to watch the whole game next to Clint Cosgrove, whose background in evaluation and national perspective at the tailback position was helpful in breaking down Smith’s skillset.
Three things that Clint and I thought stood out:
1) Smith, listed at 6-foot and 180 pounds, is a long strider who eats up big chunks of yards in a deceiving fashion. There were a few times when Smith broke to the edge, and what looked like a five- or six-yard gain was actually a carry that moved the chains. The measurables, in my opinion, are a little misleading, only because Smith looks to have very long legs and arms with a frame to add a lot more good weight. And in terms of his running style, he’s a long strider who can break off a big run in the blink of an eye.
2) Clint and I also talked about the violent punch Smith lowered a few times on Friday night. He has a unique ability to plant and lower his shoulder in order to run over a defender or move the pile. Not sure what his weight room numbers are, but Smith is a more physical runner than I expected him to be.
3) “You Slow AF” is displayed on Smith’s back plate. That message, I’m assuming, is there for defensive backs or linebackers who are trailing Smith on his way to the end zone. What I took from the game: Smith has legit home-run speed. When he hits the edge or breaks past the first level between the tackles, he has the ability to run past defenders and take it the distance.
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There’s a reason why Smith was one of the first tailbacks Wisconsin offered in the 2024 class. He runs hard, has great vision and has excellent lateral quickness. We also saw Smith catch the ball out of the backfield a few times, another skill he brings to the table.
AREAS OF IMPROVEMENT
Not a lot to critique here other than the normal things all high school kids need to improve upon as they move to the next level. If there was hole I saw in Smith’s game, though, it was in pass protection. That’s something he will need to focus on over the next two years before he arrives on a college campus. I’d also like to see him be a little more patient and wait for holes to develop a half-second longer, but that’s not a significant issue, evidenced by the production.
Overall, though, Smith does a lot of things well, and he’s being coached by people who understand the game at Catholic Memorial. He’s a nice blend of natural talent and learned techniques, a big reason why he’s a top 20 back in the country.
OUTLOOK/RECRUITMENT
Still a long way to go for Smith, who is just starting his junior year at Catholic Memorial. But the two schools that could be near the top of his recruitment right now are Wisconsin and Notre Dame, according to people I’ve talked with. Smith also mentioned those two programs when I talked to him two weeks ago. The Badgers have done a nice job of making Smith feel like a top priority early in the process and they’ve already hosted him a handful of times. Smith, however, is still wide open and we’re not close to seeing him trim his list or announce top schools.
As far as what happens with Smith’s recruitment this fall, I don’t think he is going to emerge as a top 10 back in the country. That’s not a knock on him but rather an indication of the talent at that position, specifically in the southern part of the country. With that, I don’t think you’re going to see schools like Alabama, Georgia and Clemson - or even programs like Oregon and USC, which should have plenty of options on the West Coast - venture north in pursuit of Smith. Ohio State, which offered Smith’s teammate, 2024 offensive guard Donovan Harbour, has already extended scholarships to six tailbacks in the 2024 class. That list includes Ohio native Jordan Marshall, who also holds an offer from the Badgers. One would think the Buckeyes hit on him, as well as another currently-offered back if they are looking to take two in this cycle.
From a Wisconsin lens in the 2024 class, I think the Badgers go with two scholarship backs for the second (Nate White and Jaquez Keyes) cycle in a row. I’ve heard the Badgers are also in a good spot early on with Titus Cram, with Gideon Ituka also a realistic option for the staff. I also think the staff should take a long look at Terrance Shelton, an in-state back from Franklin.
WISCONSIN COMPARISON ON THE CURRENT ROSTER
After writing about Nate White earlier this week, Smith is another tough comparison for me at the running back position. Chez Mellusi, who was listed at 6-foot and 175 pounds in high school, is a decent match. But to me, Smith is longer and has the frame to add more weight down the road. I also don’t think their running styles are an exact match.
Let me know what you think.
STRENGTHS
I came into Friday night’s game between Franklin and Catholic Memorial with high expectations for Corey Smith, and the four-star back didn’t disappoint. It was also beneficial to watch the whole game next to Clint Cosgrove, whose background in evaluation and national perspective at the tailback position was helpful in breaking down Smith’s skillset.
Three things that Clint and I thought stood out:
1) Smith, listed at 6-foot and 180 pounds, is a long strider who eats up big chunks of yards in a deceiving fashion. There were a few times when Smith broke to the edge, and what looked like a five- or six-yard gain was actually a carry that moved the chains. The measurables, in my opinion, are a little misleading, only because Smith looks to have very long legs and arms with a frame to add a lot more good weight. And in terms of his running style, he’s a long strider who can break off a big run in the blink of an eye.
2) Clint and I also talked about the violent punch Smith lowered a few times on Friday night. He has a unique ability to plant and lower his shoulder in order to run over a defender or move the pile. Not sure what his weight room numbers are, but Smith is a more physical runner than I expected him to be.
3) “You Slow AF” is displayed on Smith’s back plate. That message, I’m assuming, is there for defensive backs or linebackers who are trailing Smith on his way to the end zone. What I took from the game: Smith has legit home-run speed. When he hits the edge or breaks past the first level between the tackles, he has the ability to run past defenders and take it the distance.
Rivals.com on Instagram: "That’s a new one 🤣 @coreyrare"
31K likes, 193 comments - rivalsdotcom on August 19, 2022: "That’s a new one 🤣 @coreyrare".
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There’s a reason why Smith was one of the first tailbacks Wisconsin offered in the 2024 class. He runs hard, has great vision and has excellent lateral quickness. We also saw Smith catch the ball out of the backfield a few times, another skill he brings to the table.
AREAS OF IMPROVEMENT
Not a lot to critique here other than the normal things all high school kids need to improve upon as they move to the next level. If there was hole I saw in Smith’s game, though, it was in pass protection. That’s something he will need to focus on over the next two years before he arrives on a college campus. I’d also like to see him be a little more patient and wait for holes to develop a half-second longer, but that’s not a significant issue, evidenced by the production.
Overall, though, Smith does a lot of things well, and he’s being coached by people who understand the game at Catholic Memorial. He’s a nice blend of natural talent and learned techniques, a big reason why he’s a top 20 back in the country.
OUTLOOK/RECRUITMENT
Still a long way to go for Smith, who is just starting his junior year at Catholic Memorial. But the two schools that could be near the top of his recruitment right now are Wisconsin and Notre Dame, according to people I’ve talked with. Smith also mentioned those two programs when I talked to him two weeks ago. The Badgers have done a nice job of making Smith feel like a top priority early in the process and they’ve already hosted him a handful of times. Smith, however, is still wide open and we’re not close to seeing him trim his list or announce top schools.
As far as what happens with Smith’s recruitment this fall, I don’t think he is going to emerge as a top 10 back in the country. That’s not a knock on him but rather an indication of the talent at that position, specifically in the southern part of the country. With that, I don’t think you’re going to see schools like Alabama, Georgia and Clemson - or even programs like Oregon and USC, which should have plenty of options on the West Coast - venture north in pursuit of Smith. Ohio State, which offered Smith’s teammate, 2024 offensive guard Donovan Harbour, has already extended scholarships to six tailbacks in the 2024 class. That list includes Ohio native Jordan Marshall, who also holds an offer from the Badgers. One would think the Buckeyes hit on him, as well as another currently-offered back if they are looking to take two in this cycle.
From a Wisconsin lens in the 2024 class, I think the Badgers go with two scholarship backs for the second (Nate White and Jaquez Keyes) cycle in a row. I’ve heard the Badgers are also in a good spot early on with Titus Cram, with Gideon Ituka also a realistic option for the staff. I also think the staff should take a long look at Terrance Shelton, an in-state back from Franklin.
WISCONSIN COMPARISON ON THE CURRENT ROSTER
After writing about Nate White earlier this week, Smith is another tough comparison for me at the running back position. Chez Mellusi, who was listed at 6-foot and 175 pounds in high school, is a decent match. But to me, Smith is longer and has the frame to add more weight down the road. I also don’t think their running styles are an exact match.
Let me know what you think.
