The Inside Scoop: LSU is 'the team to watch' for 4-star S Isaac Smith

Fulton (Miss.) Itawamba Agricultural four-star safety Isaac Smith is one of the top uncommitted defensive backs in the 2023 cycle. According to On3 National Recruiting Analyst Sam Spiegelman, LSU could be the program that earns his pledge.

“He’s just landed an offer from LSU,” Spiegelman said on The Inside Scoop, On3’s recruiting show. “He was on campus for the Ole Miss game. He’s already scheduled a visit back to LSU for the Alabama game. LSU has kind of become the team to watch, along with the two in-state schools — Mississippi State and Ole Miss — who are both expected to get him on campus before any decisions are ultimately made.”

Spiegelman’s point is reflected by the On3 Recruiting Prediction Machine, who gives the Tigers an 83.3% to notch Smith’s commitment. Multiple schools, including Georgia, Mississippi State, Ole Miss, Tennessee and Vanderbilt have been considered past top contenders for Smith, according to Spiegelman.

For more LSU recruiting intel, check out The Bengal Tiger.

Smith is the No. 172 overall prospect and No. 12 safety in the 2023 cycle, according to the On3 Consensus, a complete and equally weighted industry-generated average that utilizes all four major recruiting media companies. He is also the No. 3 player in Mississippi.

The 6-foot-1, 190-pound defensive back has an On3 NIL Valuation of $16K. The On3 NIL Valuation is an index that looks to set the standard market value for both high school and college-level athletes. The NIL valuation does not act as a tracker of the value of NIL deals an athlete has completed to date. It rather signifies an athlete’s value at a certain moment in time.

Isaac Smith On3 Scouting Summary

The following is the On3 Scouting Summary for Isaac Smith:

“Two-way star who runs the ball with patience at running back and plays the safety position with violence and ferocity. Multi-sport standout who plays soccer, baseball and basketball along with football. Stands in at 6-foot, 200 pounds with an impressive 6-foot-5 wingspan. Downhill player who shows no hesitation when entering the box. Jumped an explosive 9-foot-10 broad jump and ran an electronically-timed 4.48 shuttle during the spring camp circuit prior to his senior season. Carried the ball 122 times for 1,336 yards and 23 touchdowns on offense. Totaled 92 tackles, 8 interceptions and forced 4 fumbles on defense during his junior season.

“Long speed is an issue. Struggles to let it out and eat yards. Ran a lackluster 12.04 100m and 24.65 200m during his junior track and field season. Could potentially develop into an off-ball linebacker if he added the necessary mass given his lack of top end speed. High ceiling prospect that will see progress once he focuses on one position and sport at the next level. Dad, Reggie Smith, played linebacker at Ole Miss during the mid-1990’s.”