You’ve got to hand it to those Smiths, they come into a high school football career ready to contribute.
Following the lead of big brother Rod, Bishop Luers freshman Jaylon Smith is playing beyond his years in helping his team’s quest for a Class 2A state championship.
Both were bigger than a lot of players their age when they started playing in high school. When senior Rod Smith was starting out for Harding, he was listed at 6-foot-2, 197 pounds, while Jaylon Smith is 6-2, 180.
“I have a lot of shoes to fill, but I am up for it,” Jaylon Smith said. “I get a lot of advice from Rod, working in the backyard with him, that’s where it all started. It is in my genes, I guess.”
In 2006, Rod Smith ran for 1,800 yards at running back in leading Harding to a 2A title with a 20-7 win over Southridge at the RCA Dome.
Rod Smith, an Ohio State recruit, went on to have a stellar career with the eighth-best rushing total in state history with 6,625 yards and is the all-time leading rusher in SAC history.
Jaylon Smith is the starting defensive end for the Knights and has 69 tackles (12 for loss), seven sacks and an interception.
“I didn’t expect to play varsity at first,” Jaylon Smith said. “I was just so amazed (the coaches) had me out there. I have been just working hard to help improve the team.”
Jaylon Smith is part of a 10-player freshman class that has played a big role for the Knights (9-5), who face Monrovia (14-0) at 7 p.m. today in the 2A state championship game at Lucas Oil Stadium.
“He is an awesome kid,” Luers coach Matt Lindsay said of Jaylon. “He is coachable. Even when you yell at him, he smiles and says ‘yes, sir.’ ”
Jaylon Smith’s future might also be carrying the football like his brother. He has 195 yards on 39 carries and three touchdowns in spot duty.
“We could run him at tailback if we had to and pound away,” Lindsay said. “That day will probably come, but it just isn’t right now. For as young as he is, what an athlete. It is nice to have that athletic of a kid.
“He made a run against Cass and ran over a couple of guys and watching film, you look at it and say, ‘Holy cow, that looks like Rod Smith.’ He obviously has some of that in him.”
Rod Smith helped the Hawks to a 29-18 record over four years, including the state championship, and Jaylon Smith is hoping to have the same success with the Knights.
“It is a good program,” Jaylon Smith said of the Knights.
“The coaches encourage me into doing better and never putting my head down and keep going at it.”
