Film Room: Jacob Smith

The state of Kentucky does not always produce a ton of high-level Power Five college football talent. But when a good class emerges, the University of Kentucky must take advantage. The Wildcats cashed in when twins Jacob Smith and Jerod Smith transferred to Corbin (Ky.) High over the summer.

The top-300 prospects will chase a state title with the Redhounds as Kentucky commits. Vince Marrow got the spatula out this week giving the Wildcats five in-state commits in the 2024 recruiting cycle.

Now we pivot to unpacking the most recent recruiting wins for the Kentucky program. We’re diving into the tape to see what the newest additions can bring to Lexington. Four-star EDGE Jacob Smith (6-4, 230) is a natural fit for Kentucky’s Sam linebacker position that will require the in-state native to make plays off-ball but also chip in as a situational pass rusher. Think how Jordan Wright was utilized in Lexington.

Let’s roll the tape.

Edge presence

In Kentucky’s traditional 3-4 structure, Kentucky has two outside linebackers. The Jack linebacker typically plays to the weak side of the formation and will often be aligned on the line of scrimmage. The Sam linebacker plays to the strong side of the formation which is often aligned into the field. This position typically lines up off-ball and must be able to matchup and play in space. Jacob Smith appears to be a better fit at Sam in Kentucky’s scheme but defensive coordinator Brad White will still ask players in this position to make tackles in space, set the edge in the run game, drop in zone coverage, and win in one-on-one pass rush situations.

Smith has some work to do as a pass rusher, but the 2024 prospect shows some physicality at the point of attack and is a twitched up player that can get out of a stance and make a first move quickly.

On the top rep, Smith bursts out of stance and delivers a strong two-handed strike to the right tackle. That creates movement with arm extension that allows him to disengage from the block and go make a hit on the quarterback. On the second rep, Smith flashes a quick inside move knifing through the B gap and totally avoiding the right tackle to record a tackle for loss. In the third rep, Smith comes inside from his outside alignment, diagnoses the run play, and arrives all the ballcarrier with good pad level to make a stop.

When required, Jacob Smith can play with physicality at the point of attack. Most importantly, Smith can slip blocks on tape and that frees him up to make plays. Kentucky will ask the four-star recruit to do something similar at the next level.

Off-ball athleticism

Kentucky does ask the defense’s outside linebackers to check numerous boxes. Playing along the front, setting the edge, and rushing the passer are all important but dropping into coverage and making plays in space is also needed. At the Sam position, Kentucky would require Jacob Smith to play in space. That means being an athlete whether in pass coverage or matching up with skill talent players in space.

Smith shows coverage potential on tape.

In a zone drop, Jacob Smith can play off coverage and then run and find the ball in the air. Playing through the receiver, the outside linebacker creates a havoc play. As a pursuit defender, Smith flashes good movement skills and chases down the ballcarrier from the backside.

The newest Kentucky commit can bring positional athleticism to the defense.

Jacob Smith provides defensive versatility

Kentucky asks their outside linebackers to do a lot. Much will be on Jacob Smith’s plate in Lexington. Versatility is key. The Corbin (Ky.) High senior has that in his toolbox.

Smith is a twitched defender that moves well in space. The in-state native can provide value in zone coverage, but also provides a physical presence when defending the quick passing game of spread offenses or when forced to fit the run. There is some pass rush potential, but the class of 2024 recruit might be better as an off-ball blitzer.

The latest outside linebacker commit projects as a player that could play a rotational role early in his career at Sam. Jacob Smith should become SEC starter-caliber in Lexington sooner than Lexington. There is a true fit for the top-300 recruit in this scheme.

Smith has a transferrable skill set that will get him on the field. Quickness, movement skills, and burst on a good frame typically translate.