Jerod Smith (88) has added 25 pounds since arriving at UK following his senior season at Corbin High School. (Charlie Crawford Photo)
Two of Kentucky’s top recruits last season were Corbin twins Jerod Smith (6-4, 273 pounds) and his twin brother Jacob Smith (6-4, 240 pounds). Both were one-time Michigan commits before flipping to UK early last season after both UK recruiting coordinator Vince Marrow and defensive coordinator Brad White had watched Corbin beat Frederick Douglass.
“’It’s good to see them out there full strength and getting better,” Kentucky coach Mark Stoops said. “Jerod is a guy that put on some weight. He is getting very explosive for a young guy so we will see where that takes him.
“Jacob, he didn’t get a chance (in spring practice). I think you heard me talk briefly post‑ spring about seeing them out there and seeing him on his feet. He had a shoulder injury so he wasn’t able to do too much in the spring. But right now, he looks good.
“They are good players and we will give them a chance to grow up and get in the system for a while, but good players.”
Jacob plays outside linebacker and Jerod is a defensive lineman who has added about 25 pounds since arriving on campus in January to prepare for SEC football.
“I found out I could not hold my own in the running game at the playing weight I got here with. I was getting tossed around in spring practice. I knew I needed more weight and the coaches knew it, so we worked hard on that,” Jerod said.
Even with the added weight, he says he is faster and more explosive than when he got to UK.
One Response
They are going to be very very good. They need to sit back and learn and soak in as much as they can this year because they will be needed next year. They need to get their weight right and learn the playbook. I see them playing in 3-4 games and taking a redshirt year. They will be bigger, faster, and better next year. I look for them to be backups next year and then start as redshirt sophomores. They will definitely be very good for many years here as long as they stay. I think they will stay and they will be very good. We will see.