Penn State Sports Magazine
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/1532761
M A R C H 2 0 2 5 4 9 W W W . B L U E W H I T E O N L I N E . C O M / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / P L A Y E R B I O S / / / / / / / W hen linebacker Cam Smith vis- ited Penn State twice in a three- week span back in April 2023, it became clear that the Nittany Lions were going to be serious contenders with the Sa- lem, N.J., native. Then, when he came back for the Lasch Bash in July, it seemed like only a matter of time until he became one of Penn State's first commits in the 2025 class. By his own admission, Smith did give it some thought prior to his junior sea- son. However, he decided instead to check out some other schools before making his choice. Smith visited Duke, Maryland, Rut- gers and West Virginia that fall. By Janu- ary 2024, the Nittany Lions had already earned one commitment at the position, from New Jersey prospect DJ McClary, so Smith decided to get back to campus in early February, knowing that his re- cruitment was nearing its end. What he didn't know at the time was that Alex Tatsch was also ready to end his recruitment. Tatsch, a four-star prospect from Latrobe, Pa., had at- tended the same February junior day as Smith. However, unlike his fellow line- backer, Tatsch had committed before leaving campus. After Tatsch's decision became public the following day, Smith immediately made it clear that he wanted to join the class as well. The problem was that PSU's staff wasn't quite ready to add a third linebacker so early in the cycle. With his chances of becoming a Nittany Lion uncertain, Smith committed to his other top school, Duke. A few months later, there came an- other twist: McClary had decided to switch his commitment to Rutgers. Suddenly, the Lions had an opening, and they were able to get Smith back on campus for the Lasch Bash in July. De- termined not to waste his second chance, the three-star prospect committed to Penn State about a week after that visit. "I've always wanted to go to Penn State, but I also loved the Duke staff. It was a hard decision," Smith said. "My family and I talked about it and believed that Penn State was the best choice for me." Like so many other top linebackers over the years, Smith was impressed with Penn State's perennial strength at the position, as well as the program's success under James Franklin. "They have a great history of devel- oping linebackers, and I have a chance to play on a big stage while aiming for a national championship," said Smith, a Salem, N.J., native who totaled 130 tack- les in his last two seasons at St. Joseph's Prep in Philadelphia. Listed at 6-foot, 200 pounds, Smith will need time in the strength and con- ditioning program before he can con- tribute at the college level. Once he's done that, though, he'll have an oppor- tunity to join the lineage that attracted him in the first place. "I think it's a good fit for the pros- pect and the school," said Charles Power, On3's director of scouting and rankings. "I think it's a good marriage for what he needs. Penn State is set up to really get a lot out of him when it comes to the size gain that he needs." — Ryan Snyder Smith totaled 130 tackles and 11.5 sacks in his junior and senior seasons at St. Joseph's Prep in Philadelphia. PHOTO BY RYAN SNYDER CAM SMITH Linebacker seizes second chance to join Penn State's class LB | 6-0 | 200 St. Joseph's Prep (Pa.) Salem, N.J. Rankings Stars Nat. Pos. State On3 Industry ★★★★ 354 37 10 On3 ★★★ — 45 13 247Sports ★★★★ — 24 7 ESPN ★★★★ 254 25 7 Rivals ★★★ — 14 12 Statistics • Totaled 58 tackles, 7 sacks and a blocked kick as a senior • Had 72 tackles, 4.5 sacks and 1 interception during his junior year Notable • Was a two-year team captain at power- house St. Joseph's Prep • Helped the Hawks win back-to-back PIAA Class 6A state championships in 2023 and '24 • Second-team PAFootballnews.com Coaches Select Class 6A All-State as a senior • Member of the National Honor Society Recruitment • Committed to Penn State on Aug. 8, 2024 • Recruited by defensive analyst Dan Connor and defensive line coach Deion Barnes • Picked Penn State over Duke, Maryland, Rutgers and West Virginia • Officially visited on Sept. 28, 2024 2025 Projection At just 6-foot, 200 pounds, Smith is going to need time to add weight before he starts contributing at the college level. He also won't be enrolling until the summer, which makes a redshirt likely. However, both on and off the field, Smith is one of the smartest players in the class. If he can make the necessary physi- cal strides over the next year or so, he should be able to contribute for multiple seasons. They Said It On3 scouting director Charles Power: "I like Cam Smith's film. I thought he took a jump and showed some improvement. He's a guy who may not be the biggest, but he has high-level instincts and is a good athlete who can make some plays in the backfield." T H E S M I T H F I L E