Blue & Gold Illustrated: America's Foremost Authority on Notre Dame Football
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80 PRESEASON 2017 BLUE & GOLD ILLUSTRATED BY DAVID MCKINNEY For a while, it appeared as though Notre Dame's 2018 recruiting class would include only one running back. Indianapolis Cathedral four-star Markese Stepp was the lone ball car- rier in the class for a long stretch af- ter pledging in June 2016, but that changed on July 23 when Sanford (N.C.) Lee County running back Jah- mir Smith announced his commit- ment to Notre Dame. Smith, the No. 16 prospect in North Carolina and No. 17 overall running back in the class of 2018 according to Rivals, made his decision after taking a quiet visit to Notre Dame on July 18. Lee County head coach Burton Cates said adding Smith to their sta- ble of running backs will give the Irish a player who is the total package. "This will be my 33rd year as a head coach, and he's by far the best total player that I've been able to coach," Cates told Blue & Gold Illustrated. "He's a very humble young man and works extremely hard. "He's been offered by all eight Ivy League schools, so not only is he a really good football player but he's a tremendous student." Having coached for more than three decades, Cates has seen all sorts of dif- ferent players. Sometimes kids have the abilities on the field, but can't get it done in the classroom. Other times it's the opposite. However, Cates said with Smith, there was never a worry either way. "He's very goal oriented, and he has priorities right in line," the coach explained. "He's a kid that comes along once in a coaching career as far as having the total package." Smith clearly takes academics seri- ously, and Cates said he approaches his job on the field and his studies with the same tenacity. "He's very intelligent as far as read- ing defenses and getting north and south quickly," Cates said. "He has very good speed, but he likes to run between the tackles. "He can sense the crease, and he puts his foot in the dirt and hits that crease in a hurry." Smith was extremely productive as a junior, rushing for 2,130 yards and 40 touchdowns. Cates said so many of Smith's runs ended in the end zone simply because he's too difficult to bring down. "He's a very strong young man," the coach stated. "He's got great hips and great thighs as far as the power he generates. He's a very tough run- ner to take down at 200 pounds." Having a player like Smith at his disposal is huge for Cates, not only because of the numbers the senior puts up, but also because he provides an example of doing things the right way for the younger players. Cates said he used to have a routine spiel to give his young guys, but now he just points to Smith. "We tell our freshmen: 'You do this in the classroom, do this and do this, and great things are going to happen to you,'" Cates explained. "'But you don't have to believe a word I'm telling you. All you have to do is look at the real thing right here and what he's accomplished and how he's done it.'" Cates said players take one look at Smith and immediately understand what they have to do to reach their goals. "Jahmir is built-in motivation for people that want to do well," he said. "He's the road map. You copy what he's done and good things are going to happen for you." ✦ COMMITMENT PROFILE JAHMIR SMITH North Carolina Ball Carrier Gives Irish The 'Total Package' Smith rushed for 2,130 yards and 40 touchdowns during his junior season at Sanford (N.C.) Lee County. PHOTO COURTESY RIVALS.COM FILM ANALYSIS Strengths Jahmir Smith has been incredibly productive, rushing for 2,130 yards (6.7 per rush) and 40 touchdowns as a junior … Has a strong frame with plenty of room to add size and strength despite already being 6-0 and 199 pounds … Plays with a very good leg drive and is more than willing to run players over, but also is nim- ble enough to make defenders miss on the first and second levels … Good all-around athletic skill set with decent long speed and quick feet … Balance is his best physical trait. Areas For Improvement He's a grinder that doesn't make a lot of flashy plays … Lacks top-end speed of more elite backs … Is a little tight in the hips and lacks explosiveness, but he can build up steam as he attacks the line… Not a natural pass catcher and will need to work on being more effective in the pass game. — Bryan Driskell