Film Room: Jerod 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. Kentucky recruiting coordinator Vince Marrow got the spatula out this week recording a significant head-to-head win over Michigan and giving the Wildcats five in-state commits in the 2024 recruiting cycle.

Now we pivot to unpacking the most recent recruiting wins for the UK program. We’re diving into the tape to see what the newest additions can bring to Lexington. Four-star defensive lineman Jerod Smith projects as a field end in Kentucky’s three-down scheme with twitched-up movement skills and an intriguing potential pass rush toolbox.

Let’s step inside the KSR Film Room.

Twitchy skill set

Jerod Smith does not fit the mold of some of the recent recruiting wins that Kentucky has added to the defensive line room. Smith is not a tall line of scrimmage player with a ton of length. At 6-foot-3 and 255 pounds, the Corbin (Ky.) High senior will be undersized when he gets to the next level.

That’s OK because his movement skills should easily translate.

Smith flashes great burst out of stance and good feet on tape. That combination should allow him to disengage from blocks at the next level and make some plays behind the line of scrimmage. Smith’s twitched-up sudden movement skills allow him to slip blocks, shoot gaps, and blow up offensive concepts.

Whether twisting, getting skinny through a gap, or beating an offensive lineman with a quick inside move, Smith is a fast winner. A projected 3-4 defensive end in Kentucky’s scheme, Smith can disengage from blocks in multiple ways which allows him to create consistent penetration. The four-star prospect provide tremendous value in stunts and can be a havoc creator thanks to sudden movement skills, timing, and overall football instincts.

Pass rush potential

Jerod Smith’s movement skills provide value as a run defender, but this is also a prospect that can generate pressure as a pass rusher. Smith wins quickly, can play with power, and shows enough athleticism to make you believe that there is a fairly high-ceiling as an interior rusher.

Smith combines sudden movement skills with the ability to get skinny through gaps, shows power against a double team, and can run the hoop as an outside rusher with fluidity while winning at the top of the rep. Explosion, power, and craftiness are all there for the defensive line prospect. There is a ton of potential as a rusher.

Intriguing player comp for Jerod Smith

Once Josh Paschal slid down to defensive end, we saw the entire package come together for the former four-star recruit at Kentucky. The DMV native was able to shoot gaps, had a strong interior pass rush plan, and flashed good play timing. There are some similarities with Jerod Smith.

The Corbin (Ky.) High senior shoots gaps with good movement skills, has good positional athleticism, and owns a deep enough toolbox to project as a solid rusher as a three-technique. These are all the strengths that Paschal had and put together to become an All-SEC player and second-round pick. Smith has a similar skill set.

Despite some height and length concerns, Smith should find a place at field end in Kentucky’s multiple front with the ability to slide inside to isolate against guards on obvious pass rushing downs. Smith must prove he can hold up from a play strength standpoint at the next level, but the twitched-up movement skills and pass rush production/potential give this prospect a high ceiling.