Justin Smart signs with SMU

[Mustangs35SMU]

And if this Smoak guy had Smart going to Utah, he does sound like the Dave Campbell of East Texas -- sounds like neither one does much research before publishing anything.

David Smoak is like an East Texas God when it comes to the football area.

He does play by play for the Tyler Lee Red Raiders and has his own radio shows here in East Texas during the week.

Very smart when it comes to football now doubt...and he if he Smart going to Utah, you can believe it. Surprised now that he came here hearing that.

[Recruiting Guru]

Love the size on this guy! Hope he's as good on the field as he is on paper.
Guru - have you seen this guy?

Yes, although not often. And for what it's worth, I have him at 6'3.5", but obviously that's a minimal difference.

Justin Smart was something of a mystery in recruiting last year. He had interest from many schools (including Baylor and Texas Tech). Why he didn't sign earlier, I'm not sure, but admittedly I was focusing on the players who did sign. I'd heard he had an injury that caused some schools to back off, but never got confirmation.

Anyway, Smart is a very good player. The player he most reminds me of is SMU grad Chris Bordano. He's not the thickest player in the world, but he's very strong and is a tough, extremely physical player. He's heavier than Bordano was when he was recruited, but like Bordano, Smart will get stronger and bigger with physical maturity and time in a college weight room.

At times, Smart plays a little stiff and more upright than he should, but that can be corrected through coaching. His upper body strength is more developed at this point than his lower body strength, but I could see him getting up to 240 pounds or so without losing his quickness.

Smart plays with a reckless style, throwing himself at the ball carrier with abandon. His fearlessness will make him valuable on defense and on special teams, where I think he really could excel. He can rush the passer off the edge, but in the long run, I think he's best-suited to adding some bulk and moving inside. He's already strong, and will continue to grow.

In an time when too many players try to lower their shoulder and deliver a knockout blow, Smart is a stark contrast. He's a hard hitter, but his technique is sound - he wraps up the ball carrier and drives through him. His speed is a little above average, but not blinding. However, he's a smart, instinctive player who compensates with his instinctiveness and his knack for reading the offense and being in the right place at the right time.

Assuming he's healthy, Smart is a very good late pick-up for the Ponies. I see him adding 20-25 pounds before he's through, and being a tough, destructive anchor in the middle of the defense. He might never earn the accolades afforded to the speed guys who collect all the sacks, but he should be a valuable asset to the SMU defense with his solid tackling and blue-collar style, in practice and on game day.

[Pony Up]

Sounds like a real battering ram type. Thanks for the report, Guru!

[OC Mustang]

The reason that Smart was a late pickup was that he was late making the ACT minimum for his GPA; he did so late in the school year. Evidently, due to attrition (or a spot left open), Smart was taken as the last in 2005-06 Recruiting Class.

I am loathe to contradict anything Recruiting Guru says...just because he is who he is and he contributes more meaningful information than any three of the rest of us. However, I don't agree on moving Justin inside. He worked as a OLB in a 3-3-5 defense in high school. I say he puts on 10-20 lbs, and he becomes a mean strong side OLB. If he is good at reads (which he is), then let him do what he is good at. That is more difficult when you are in a four-point or three point.

He does remind me of Bordano, but he weighs more than Bordano did at the same points in their respective playing careers. Bordano was 205-210 when he started as a true freshman. Smart is 220-225 and works out at the Marshall weight room very often from what I see and hear.

Just MHO. He will be a leader and a gamer. The biggest adjustment that kid will make will be the lifestyle that he is used to vs. SMU. SMU will be culture shock in the biggest kind of way. I can not say this enough; he has potential ad infinitum. However, the school environment will make or break this kid. If you have interaction with him at all, please keep this in mind. SMU sells itself, but it can be a most difficult transition.

[Big Easy Pony]

Thanks, Guru - your reports an invaluable asset to this site. Keep 'em coming!

[OC Mustang]

Straight from his high school coach's mouth, and I stand corrected with my response to Recruiting Guru.

Coach Rodney Southern, "I believe that Justin will be put at the Mike (MLB/ILB) spot, and I believe that SMU got someone who, in three or four years, will find himself in the NFL draft."

He also said, "I have coached two players with his talent and instinct for the game, and one of them plays for the Chicago Bears."

Finally, "Justin's biggest issue will not be on the football field; it will be navigating SMU. It is just like I told Mario [Walker] last year; this is the big bad real world, and SMU takes its academics seriously."

Southern said that Justin weighed in at 223 lbs last week and 6 foot 3 inches. I didn't ask him his strength and speed stats.

So...Recruiting Guru...I apologize that I deigned even contradicting you.

[Corso]

" .... and I believe that SMU got someone who, in three or four years, will find himself in the NFL draft."

Nice. We all know some coaches are prone to over-hyping their own, because of the emotional attachment, etc., but Coach Southern's statement implies no redshirt year and maybe even leaving early for the pros for this guy.

I hope Smart is half as good as Coach Southern thinks he can be.

[OC Mustang]

Corso wrote:
Nice. We all know some coaches are prone to over-hyping their own, because of the emotional attachment, etc., but Coach Southern's statement implies no redshirt year and maybe even leaving early for the pros for this guy.
I hope Smart is half as good as Coach Southern thinks he can be.

I hope he is too. Boy do I...

[westexSMU]

Dave Campbell's 2006 Texas Football also has Justin Smart 6' 3" 210 First Team All-State 4A LB 2005 along with UT's 5 star recruit LB Sergio Kindle.

[OC Mustang]

He was 223 exactly 2 weeks ago. Southern was weighing and marking progress with weights, etc. on the college-bound athletes. They can pretty much come and go in the weight-room.

[CalallenStang]

And if this Smoak guy had Smart going to Utah, he does sound like the Dave Campbell of East Texas -- sounds like neither one does much research before publishing anything.

David Smoak is like an East Texas God when it comes to the football area.

He does play by play for the Tyler Lee Red Raiders and has his own radio shows here in East Texas during the week.

Very smart when it comes to football now doubt...and he if he Smart going to Utah, you can believe it. Surprised now that he came here hearing that.

I seem to remember Smoaky reporting Henderson's job was filled two candidates before they finally did fill their job. One guy who Smoak reported took the job was Longview's own John King. Mustangs35, you of all people know Smoaky doesn't always get it right.

Sounds like this Smart guy can contribute on the field right away.