Film Room: Jaden Smith

Even high school recruiting classes are not official at the end of the late signing day in February. Some late head coach changes in college football gave certain high school prospects the opportunity to become free agents. Kentucky cashed in on one of those free agents on Tuesday.

Charlotte (N.C) West linebacker Jaden Smith committed to Michigan in June and signed with the Big Ten program in December. However, Smith decided to enter the market after Michigan head coach Jim Harbaugh and defensive coordinator Jesse Minter left for the Los Angeles Chargers. Multiple schools reached out to the four-star recruit, but Kentucky ended up logging a huge recruiting win late in the process.

What will the latest addition at linebacker bring to the Joe Craft Football Training Facility? Jaden Smith is a very good athlete for the position who seems to be a tailor-made fit to play Will linebacker in Kentucky’s multiple 3-4 scheme.

Pass rush value

Similar to most of the other linebackers that Kentucky has added in this class, Jaden Smith was used often in an edge role for his high school team. There is a reason for that. The second-level defender — with a verified sub-4.6 forty-yard dash — has the speed and burst to create havoc. We see that play out as a pass rusher on film.

As simulated pressure and creeper packages grow in popularity, having linebackers that can rush the passer has added value. Gone are the big run-stuffing 250-pound linebacker and in are some 215-220-pound safety type bodies playing inside the box. Similar to Devin Smith and Steven Soles, Jaden Smith will bring some pass rush value to Lexington.

The newest Kentucky commit turns a long arm rush into a spin move counter for a quick win and even flashes power as a traditional bull rusher. Smith has the athleticism to create problems blitzing from off the ball and this ability to create easy penetration will also show up in the box.

Signs of potential as a box defender

On tape, Jaden Smith does look undersized and has more of a safety build. But that has not stopped Kentucky from plugging in smaller linebacker prospects in the box at Will linebacker. On his senior tape, Smith does show the ability to get off blocks, fit the run, and finish plays with physicality.

Jaden Smith shows that he’s not afraid to stick his face in the fan inside the box and that is sometimes half the battle. The undersized linebacker is quick enough to slip under blocks and flashes good play recognition on tape. There is a blend of instincts and fearlessness on tape. That should make the top 15 North Carolina prospect a good fit in Kentucky’s scheme.

There is also a speed element that Smith can bring as a pursuit player.

Jaden Smith will bring a proven skill set

Jordan Jones and DeAndre Square were each undersized linebackers that some thought might need to play safety when projecting to the college level. Kentucky added both and immediately plugged them in at Will linebacker. Both players would go on to become multi-year starters in Lexington. Jaden Smith fits a similar mold.

The four-star prospect has coverage potential due to his movement skills, flashes some advanced ability as an off-ball pass rusher, and has shown some instincts and toughness inside the box. It is easy to envision all of those skills translating to the next level.

On tape, Smith does look smaller than his listed 6-foot-2 and 195 pounds so that will be something to monitor. Adding weight and strength will be vital for the late flip, but Kentucky has shown a willingness to play undersized players in the box. There is a great chance the class of 2024 prospect could find a role early as his senior tape shows a player who blocked multiple kicks and was a menace on kick coverage. Smith will be a factor on special teams.

Kentucky’s likely final addition of the 2024 high school cycle will bring more athleticism to the off-ball linebacker spot and gives position coach Mike Stoops yet another young player to mold as the numbers at this position are much improved after a big recruiting period.