Better Know a Freshman: Deion Smith

In modern football you cannot have too many receivers. Even as the spread era as we knew it dies down, modern offenses still demand elite play from multiple receivers to dominate.

Ed Orgeron is aware of this, and with this class he has brought in the likes of Chris Hilton, Brian Thomas Jr, Jack Bech, and here, Deion Smith. Considering Kayshon Boutte is already there, only one of those guys has to become elite to have a dominant pair of receivers, which now seems to be a big part of the magic formula for personnel construction. Deion Smith is a top 100-player, a top-10 receiver, athletically talented, and an early enrollee. I would be surprised if he doesn’t see the field early.

The Story

Early on, he committed to his home state Mississippi State. He remained committed for a few months before flipping to LSU. He then took an unofficial to Alabama and got a late offer from Coach Prime at Jackson State, but stayed with LSU and enrolled early.

The Numbers

247 Composite Ranking: ****

247 Composite Rating: 0.9691

The Film

Once again, it’s hard to form actual conclusions about ability, strengths, and weaknesses with just highlight tape. From what I can tell, he is a long strider with a lot of speed who is extremely dangerous in space. He also has a decently big frame and can dominate at the catch point, an ability I expect to be accentuated as he spends time in a top level weight room.

The Future

I think it’s pretty good. This assessment is incomplete since I only have highlight tape, but I think he has a pretty high floor and a really really good chance to contribute early and often in his LSU career. The competition between he, BTJ, and Chris Hilton for snaps and targets will be a fun one to watch over the next year plus and I definitely think he is going to carve out a nice role for himself. And remember, of those four receivers LSU signed Smith is the highest ranked of the bunch, just ever so slightly ahead of Chris Hilton.

High End: Evolves into the next star LSU receiver.

Low End: Struggles to attain prominence in a crowded, similarly young receiver room, plays but is never one of the very top options.

Realistic: I think he’s going to be very solid, I think he plays three or four years at LSU and contributes prominently.