Penn State Sports Magazine
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/1499919
4 6 J U N E / J U L Y 2 0 2 3 W W W . B L U E W H I T E O N L I N E . C O M W isconsin running back Corey Smith may have committed to Penn State on April 28, but his mind was essentially made up after a visit to campus a month earlier. A four-star prospect in the On3 In- dustry Ranking, Smith earned an offer from running backs coach Ja'Juan Seider in February. The Nittany Lions had been impressed with his junior season at Cath- olic Memorial High in Waukesha, during which Smith rushed for 1,209 yards and 24 touchdowns, while catching 22 passes for 341 yards and 2 more scores. Smith visited State College on March 24 and returned three weeks later for the Blue-White Game. He said it was clear to him by the end of his first trip that Penn State was where he wanted to be. "What separated them was that they showed they're a very genuine organiza- tion," he said. "There was nothing about them that was fake. "Some schools show you and tell you all the good things, but Penn State was just real with me the entire way. When I walked in there and visited the first time, it felt like a business. It's really well run, and they do things the right way. "I just realized quickly that I could see myself there. Then, when I looked at all the great players that came from Penn State, I really dialed in and looked at them in a whole different way." Smith, who helped lead Memorial Catholic to a 13-1 record last season, is rated as the No. 18 running back nation- ally in the On3 Industry Ranking, which takes into account the grades of other major recruiting networks. He's also the country's No. 222 overall prospect and the No. 3 player in Wisconsin. On3's scouts are slightly less bullish, assigning him a three-star grade and ranking him as the No. 33 running back in the nation and No. 5 prospect in his home state. Like so many running backs during the past six years, Smith made it clear that his connection with Seider played a signifi- cant role in his commitment. "Coach Seider is my guy," he said. "I loved that he always got straight to the point. He never tried to lean me or steer me into a different direction with any- thing. "He kept it real the whole time, tell- ing me a lot of things that other coaches weren't telling me. I appreciated that. I trusted him and felt like we had a real bond right away." Listed at 5-foot-11, 175 pounds, Smith totaled 20 scholarship offers. He said that Purdue, Notre Dame and Wisconsin were Penn State's primary competitors. The second player from Catholic Me- morial to commit to Penn State in the 2024 class, Smith said he's eager to team up again with four-star offensive lineman Donovan Harbour. "It's going to be great having him come with me," Smith said. ■ Penn State landed one of its top options at running back when Corey Smith joined the class of 2024. Here's a look at what the Nittany Lions are getting: STRENGTHS Tackle breaking: Smith is unusually slippery and elusive. He has a knack for spinning out of arm tackles, sidestepping defensive backs and finding the right angle to carry his momentum through contact. Breakaway plays: While Smith may not be as fast as current PSU starter Nicholas Singleton, he's able to hit second gear in the open field and is a threat to go the distance from a variety of positions. Versatility: Smith shows good route-running skills and hands. Reach isn't something we discuss with running backs often, but he is long for his frame and can catch the ball outside his body, which isn't an expected skill for a high school running back. AREAS OF DEVELOPMENT Strength through contact: The one glaring issue for Smith is that, while tough, he doesn't break many tackles at the line of scrimmage. Most of his best work comes when he can get to linebackers un- impeded and use his short-area elusiveness. There's room to grow, but I wouldn't anticipate Smith being a power back at the goal line or in short yardage. Frame: Smith doesn't seem to have the frame to add weight and play with the same power as Penn State's current runners. He can still add good weight and become a more well-rounded player, but it's unlikely he'll reach 215 pounds. PROJECTION Running back: Smith doesn't need to be a violent runner who seeks out contact; he just needs the strength to break the tackles he's not breaking now. That is attainable. Slash athlete: Is Penn State looking to add more versatility to the offense and use running backs more in the passing game? It's not something coordinator Mike Yurcich has traditionally done, but Smith has legitimate potential as a downfield receiver. — Thomas Frank Carr P L A Y E R E V A L U A T I O N PSU Made A Strong First Impression On Wisconsin Running Back R Y A N S N Y D E R | R Y A N . S N Y D E R @ O N 3 . C O M COMMITMENT PROFILE COREY SMITH Smith received 20 scholarship offers and chose the Nittany Lions over Notre Dame, Purdue and Wisconsin. DANIEL ALTHOUSE