The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
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AUGUST 2023 ❱ THE WOLVERINE 47 ❱ COMMIT PROFILE BY EJ HOLLAND M ichigan is continuing to add star power to its edge room. Four-star Cheshire (Conn.) Academy edge Jacob Smith gave the Wolverines a verbal pledge in July, just a month after a pair of campus visits. Michigan didn't have to sell much to Smith. The Wolverines' edge produc- tion speaks for itself. After all, U-M has sent six pass rushers to the NFL in the last few years alone, including early- round draft picks Aidan Hutchinson (first round, No. 2 overall in 2022) and David Ojabo (second round, No. 45 overall in 2022). "That's the reason I started to look at them," Smith said. "They are 'Edge Rush U.' If they can develop the guys they've developed, then why can't they develop me?" Smith committed to Michigan over offers from Alabama, Georgia, Ken- tucky, Nebraska, Notre Dame, Penn State, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas A&M, USC and others. Michigan defensive line coach Mike Elston and staffer Dylan Roney, who works closely with U-M's pass rushers, led the way in Smith's recruitment and helped seal the deal. "Coach Mike is my guy," Smith said. "I talk to him the most. I've also talked to Coach Roney a few times. They are both nice guys and easy to talk to. They're straightforward. They don't have to sell a lot." Smith will now have the opportunity to team up with his twin brother, Jerod, in Ann Arbor. Jerod, a four-star defen- sive lineman, committed to Michigan in late April. "Jerod is powerful and strong, has a good get-off and gets to the point," Ja- cob said. "We complement each other well. If the first one doesn't get the tackle, the second one will." Jacob Smith is the No. 16 edge and No. 255 overall prospect in the country, per the On3 Industry Ranking. He made two visits to Michigan, taking an of- ficial visit at the beginning of June and making his way back to campus for an unofficial visit. Those two trips played a critical role in Smith joining his sibling in Ann Ar- bor. "The last visit was great," Smith said. "It was good to get back up there and see the place again. I talked to the coaches a little bit about football and scheme. It was more about where I would fit in. "I got to hang out with the players a little bit more. I asked them the im- portant questions and got a different perspective. I was with Kris [Jenkins] a lot, and he told me what it's like there." The visits also moved the needle for Smith's parents. "What stood out to me was the in- volvement of everybody," said his mother, Susan. "It was all hands on deck. Coach Elston was with us literally almost the entire time. I really felt like they made Jacob a priority. "I liked the personal touch of getting to talk to Coach [Jim] Harbaugh for a long time about family, his career and where we're from. It wasn't just focused on football. He was very open and hon- est with answers to any questions we had for him. It was just a really person- able visit. That stood out to me." His father, Jerod Sr., shared similar sentiments. "Michigan is light years ahead of a lot of other programs in what they provide for their players," he said. "For example, the new meal money package [via NIL] they are coming out with. It's going to make the kids earn the meal money. "It's not just going to be put a tweet out and get paid. They are going to have to go to workshops and be better young adults. They are going to have to go to financial workshops and taxes work- shops, so kids aren't just getting money and blowing it. I like where Michigan is heading. "They had Jaylen [Harrell], Rayshaun [Benny] and Braiden [McGregor] with us. They are all projected to go to the NFL, but when they were around us, they acted like normal kids. I thought that was really cool, also." ❑ Connecticut Edge Jacob Smith Joins Twin Brother, Jerod, In U-M Class Smith, from Cheshire (Conn.) Academy, is the No. 16 edge and No. 255 overall prospect in the country, per the On3 Industry Ranking. PHOTO BY EJ HOLLAND PLAYER EVALUATION STRENGTHS: Smith is a polished pass rusher with elite technique and brings a good mix of a high ceiling and a high floor. He was a consistent top performer at major camps this offseason, thanks in large part to his ability to bend. Smith shows outstanding flexibility when dipping and getting around offensive tackles. He's extremely quick off the edge and is fast enough to drop down and play some linebacker as well. AREAS OF IMPROVEMENT: Smith wins with his technique, flexibility and speed, but he's not overly powerful. There is still room for him to add weight to his frame (6-foot-4, 230 pounds) and get stron- ger under the guidance of Ben Herbert in the Michigan strength and conditioning program. Smith has adequate length but not what's usually desired when Michigan looks for pass rushers. MICHIGAN PLAYER COMPARISON: Smith shares a similar skill set with fellow Connecticut edge Kechaun Bennett, who is entering his junior year at Michigan. While Bennett hasn't had a breakout campaign just yet, he was regarded as a four-star prospect with terrific flexibility and speed off the edge as well as the ability to play linebacker. The scouting report is very similar for Smith. — EJ Holland