Jerod Smith Thrilled to be Eligible to Play at Corbin With his Brother Jacob

Brothers Jerod, right, and Jacob Smith. (Charlie Crawford Photo)

Jerod Smith had “no idea” why it took so long for the Kentucky High School Athletic Association to rule that he and his twin brother, Jacob, were eligible to play for Corbin this season.

He’s just glad they finally got the confirmation that they could play only a few hours Friday before they both had seven solo tackles and two assists as Corbin beat Cincinnati Hughes 47-12.

The Smiths played at Somerset in 2019 and 2020 before spending the last two seasons in Connecticut.

“We were practicing the whole time,” Jerod said. “We had a very long three weeks waiting to see if it (eligibility) would be in the mail or on email. We were actually talking about going back up north (to attend school) and didn’t really have any more time to wait when we got the word Friday. I am just glad it all ended up working out fine.”

Both are four-star prospects rated among the nation’s top 250 players. They are now ranked second and third in Kentucky behind only LCA quarterback Cutter Boley, a Kentucky commit.

Jacob is a 6-5, 230-pound hybrid outside linebacker/defensive end ranked 234th overall nationally by 247Sports while Jerod is a 6-3, 265-pound defensive end ranked 141st.

Both are verbally committed to Michigan after amassing almost 30 scholarship offers from schools including Alabama, Georgia, Notre Dame, Ole Miss, Penn State, Tennessee and Texas. However, Kentucky is pushing hard to flip the twins and Mark Stoops, Vince Marrow and Brad White.

“I can’t really comment on recruiting,” Jerod, who had two tackles for loss in last week’s win, said. “Every day I do get asked about recruiting. People are just curious and I get that.”

Jerod says they both have “fit in pretty good” at Corbin and are enjoying getting to play with former Somerset teammate Guy Bailey again.

“He is like my brother. He’s amazing and I really wanted to play my last year of high school football with him,” Jerod said. “It has been easy to stay friends with him even after we moved because we’ve had a special bond since we met.”

Jerod says he is bigger, stronger and faster compared to when he played at Somerset. He calls himself a “totally different ballplayer” who has learned to understand the game more and has devoted more time to improve.

“I learned a lot academically (in Connecticut). That was the biggest thing. The academics were great. We actually devoted more time to academics than athletics,” he said. “Being back in public school it will be more balanced between athletics and academics instead of so much academics.

“We had a really good D-line coach who I credit for why I understand the game so much better.”

Jerod knew a lot about the Corbin football tradition and how opponents were in for a “long, physical game” against the Redounds.

“But after joining the team I found out they are great people who are very family oriented and accepting of everyone. I am thrilled to be part of this team and my brother feels the same way,” Jerod, who plans to graduate in December and pursue a real estate career after college, said.

Corbin went 14-1 last season when its only loss was 32-26 to Boyle County in the Class 4A state title game.  The Redhounds outscored opponents 620-203 and returned quarterback Kade Elam, a Louisville baseball commit, who threw for 2,455 yards and 33 touchdowns and also ran for 14 scores along with several other key offensive players.

“I am thrilled with this team. This is a state championship winning team if we get better and play hard every week,” Jerod said.  “I don’t know who is going to stop this offense, and no one can play against our defense because we like to hit and run to the ball.”

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Corbin faces North Hardin Friday at 8:30 p.m. in the Garrard County Bowl in Lancaster. North Hardin features receiver Shaun Boykins, a Louisville commit. Corbin plays at Lexington Catholic Sept. 1 and then at Pulaski County Sept. 8 before hosting a showdown with Class 6A power Frederick Douglass on Sept. 15 that likely will draw an overflow crowd.