Penn State pushed to flipped a number of in-state prospects, and bought the primary of its targets moments in the past when Philadelphia St. Joseph’s Top247 linebacker Cameron Smith modified his dedication from Duke to the Nittany Lions.
The choice comes after Smith was on campus late final month for an unofficial go to for the Lasch Bash.
A key a part of the go to was a gathering with new Penn State defensive coordinator Tom Allen. Throughout it, Allen spoke to Smith in regards to the have to be mentally able to observe and play earlier than with the ability to have on-field success.
“Mainly, he informed me to maintain working exhausting and I am going to obtain my objectives,” Smith stated after the go to. “I consider that now we have relationship and that he’s a cool individual outdoors of being a coach as properly.”
Smith performs for the highest program in Pennsylvania, and he was a key part on the protection. He made 72 tackles, together with 4 1/2 sacks, and he pressured a fumble because the Hawks gained the PIAA 6A title.
COMMIT ANALYSIS: WHAT SMITH FLIP MEANS FOR PENN STATE
The dedication is big for the Nittany Lions, who haven’t skilled a lot success in recruiting at St. Joseph’s since coach James Franklin’s arrival. The final scholarship participant to signal with Penn State out of the powerhouse was cornerback John Reid within the 2015 class.
Smith dedicated to Duke in February. The Nittany Lions additionally had Ohio State commit Zahir Mathis, who performs at Philadelphia Imhotep, on campus final month.
This is every little thing you should know:
WHAT CAMERON SMITH SAYS ABOUT PENN STATE
“I loved the environment,” Smith informed 247Sports early in his recruitment. “It was solely a spring sport however there have been hundreds of followers supporting the crew.
WHO ELSE WAS IN THE MIX?
Smith was dedicated to Duke, and an enormous purpose was his connections with coach Manny Diaz and assistant coach Gabe Infante. He bought to know each of them after they have been at Penn State the previous few years, and Duke moved to the forefront for Smith when Diaz was employed within the winter and introduced Infante. Smith at all times favored Penn State, and he remained in touch with the teaching workers all through the spring and summer season, which led to his go to late final month and his flip.
WHERE CAMERON SMITH RANKS AS A RECRUIT
Smith has a 247Sports grade of 91, which makes him the No. 5 participant in Pennsylvania, and the No. 19 linebacker and the No. 167 participant within the nation. The industry-generated 247Sports Composite has Smith because the No. 278 participant and No. 30 linebacker within the class of 2025. He’s the second-highest ranked participant within the class behind Santa Ana (Calif.) Mater Dei cornerback Daryus Dixson, who’s No. 112.
HOW CAMERON SMITH FITS WITH PENN STATE
With Smith’s flip, he’s now the very best rated in-state commit and offers the Nittany Lions the highest linebacker in Pennsylvania. The truth is, with Pittsburgh Imani Christian’s Dayshaun Burnett and Latrobe (Pa.) Better Latrobe’s Alex Tatsch within the class, Penn State now has commitments from the highest two linebackers and three of the highest 4 within the state. The dedication is the twenty fourth within the class, and strikes Penn State up two spots nationally to No. 13. It’s No. 3 within the Large Ten.
WHAT WE THINK ABOUT CAMERON SMITH
Hudson Standish, a 247Sports nationwide scouting analyst, offered his ideas on Smith.
“Velocity and area off-ball linebacker verified a shade over 6-feet even, 200 kilos with sufficient size measurements and a perfect mix testing profile,” he stated. “Primarily labored as a weakside backer in a 4-3 protection as a junior, using his explosive decrease half and eager soccer instincts to trigger havoc from sideline to sideline.
“One of many higher linebackers at this stage of the analysis course of at protecting in area and altering instructions out of his backpedal. Can rapidly set off to the soccer in any course, and has the reactionary athleticism to often hold in man protection in opposition to receivers.
“Greatest query is that if Smith has the expansion potential so as to add 25+ kilos on the subsequent degree whereas retaining the athletic traits that makes him a priceless defensive chess piece.”
