Twins Jacob and Jerod Smith have combined for 45 solo tackles in three games for Corbin. (Charlie Crawford Photo)
Frederick Douglass coach Nathan McPeek will get an up close look at Corbin senior defensive stalwarts Jerod and Jacob Smith tonight when the Broncos play at Corbin in the state’s marquee matchup.
Douglass is the defending Class 5A state champion and Corbin was Class 4A state runner-up in 2022.
“Those two Michigan commits (the Smith twins) are dudes,” said McPeek who watched them play in a 30-10 win over Lexington Catholic Sept. 1. “They play so hard. They really get after you every play.
“They are in great shape and they play with a great motor. They are just relentless getting to the ball. They cause turnovers and chase people down. They make Corbin an elite team. We have two offensive tackles going to Division I, so hopefully we can at least slow them down.”
How identical are the twin brothers? On the football field, they certainly can put up nearly identical numbers.
In Corbin’s first three wins this year, Jerod had 18 solo tackles, eight assists, five tackles for loss, three quarterback sacks, one forced fumble and one fumble recovery while Jacob Smith had 27 solo tackles, nine assists, one tackle for loss, one sack, one forced fumble and one they both had 13 solo tackles with Jerod added five assists and Jacob four.
Jerod is 6-3, 265 pounds and a high four-star defensive line prospect. Jacob is 6-5, 230 pounds and also a high four-star edge rusher prospect.
“They are definitely high impact players for us,” Corbin coach Tom Greer said. “We played against the Smiths their sophomore year after they won the state championship (at Somerset) the year before (in 2019). They have both put on about 20 or 25 pounds since then and really pass the look test.
“Jerod is more of a defensive end and Jacob can be that dominant edge rusher or he would play inside or outside linebacker. Jacob probably has a little more raw talent but they both have great athleticism and great size.”
The two played the 2021 and 2022 seasons in Connecticut before coming to Corbin for their COVID season in large part because of their friendship with running back Guy Bailey who transferred from Somerset to Corbin this year.
“Bailey came to us in February. His dad, Danny, is from Corbin and we graduated high school together. The twins came down in June and July, stayed with him and fell in love with our other players, too. They also have a grandmother in the area they wanted to be closer to,” Greer said.
The Smiths both had over 30 college scholarship offers before committing to Michigan. However, speculation continues that they could change their commitment to UK, one of their finalists before they chose Michigan, and Kentucky recruiting coordinator is expected in Corbin for tonight’s game and a switch to UK might be coming soon.
“Those guys are both high character young men. It’s always, ‘Yes sir, no sir,’ from them. They don’t need coaches to work hard. They will push themselves. They have lit a fire under our guys,” Greer said. “They have raised the level of play of our other players. They are just top notch players and young men. They kind of fell into our lap and they have been a blessing on and off the field.”
One Response
Should be a Dandy!