NCAA FB

DELAWARE RB LIKES FEELING OF SU FAMILY

LexisNexis Feed ThePost-Standard
Share This Story

Updated Jul 22, 2009 7:30 AM ET
     
 
Running back Jerome Smith of Pencader Charter High School in New Castle, Del., said he's made a verbal commitment to sign with the Syracuse University football team in 2010. Smith is 5-foot-11 and 210 pounds. He said he picked the Orange over Wisconsin, which was his only other scholarship offer. Syracuse made the offer to Smith after he participated in a one-day camp with the Orange this summer. "They told me they like to call all their running backs super backs so they can do everything," Smith said. "Whatever that means, I'm ready to do it." Pencader High School coach Rahsaan Matthews said his school just graduated its first class. He said that may be a reason why Syracuse and Wisconsin are the only schools that made offers to Smith, though he thinks more were coming. "First and foremost, he's an outstanding kid," Matthews said of Smith. "Syracuse is getting a top-model kid that's very committed to the true concept of football . He's definitely a hell of a running back for what we do in Delaware. We run the spread, so we pass a lot. He maximizes his opportunities." As a junior, Smith rushed 136 times for 956 yards and eight touchdowns. He had 28 catches for 255 yards and two touchdowns. Asked to describe his running style, Smith said, "I can do everything." "I've never seen a kid at his age, and without a lot of coaching, perform like he does," Matthews said. "He came in with excellent vision. He knew how to read a zone play, when to cut and not to cut. He's a smart football player, from his ninth-grade year until now. He's developed more and more on the field. He's not a super fast kid but he's not slow. He's not overly powerful, but he knows what has to be done." Smith said he bonded with Syracuse assistant Stan Drayton and liked the feeling of family with the Orange. "It felt like family and that made the decision easy," Smith said. He added he was also attracted to the strong history of great running backs at Syracuse such as Jim Brown and Ernie Davis. Asked if such tradition can be a bit daunting for a running back, Smith said, "it's exactly what I want." Donnie Webb can be reached at 470-2149 or dwebb@Syracuse.com
Tagged: Syracuse, Wisconsin

Related Stories



Trending Now

Stories | Photos | Lists | Videos

NCAA FB Videos

FOX Sports Next: Top Classes Posted: Feb 10, 2012
FOX Sports Next takes a look at which teams scored biggest on National Signing D...

FOX Sports Next: Round Table Posted: Feb 10, 2012
FOX Sports Next recaps all the drama that surrounded National Signing Day.

Scout: Signing Day - Top Classes Posted: Feb 02, 2012
Scout.com's Scott Kennedy gives you the top College Football recruiting classes ...

MORE FOXSPORTS VIDEO »

Fox Sports Store

    itemName itemURL imageSrc price itemDescription
    Nike Florida Gators Ladies Ash Classic Full Zip Hoody Sweatshirt http://www.foxsportsshop.com/FOX_Florida_Gators/browse/featuredproduct/206368/source/prsp_ca http://images.footballfanatics.com/FFImage/thumb.aspx?i=/productImages/_206000/FF_206368_xl.jpg&w=100 54.95 Nike Florida Gators Ladies Ash Classic Full Zip Hoody Sweatshirt
    Nike USC Trojans Cardinal Vault Legacy 91 Swoosh Flex Hat http://www.foxsportsshop.com/FOX_USC_Trojans/browse/featuredproduct/454858/source/prsp_ca http://images.footballfanatics.com/FFImage/thumb.aspx?i=/productImages/_454000/FF_454858_xl.jpg&w=100 19.95 Nike USC Trojans Cardinal Vault Legacy 91 Swoosh Flex Hat
    adidas Nebraska Cornhuskers #94 Replica Football Jersey - Scarlet http://www.foxsportsshop.com/FOX_Nebraska_Cornhuskers/browse/featuredproduct/477038/source/prsp_ca http://images.footballfanatics.com/FFImage/thumb.aspx?i=/productImages/_477000/ff_477038_xl.jpg&w=100 59.95 adidas Nebraska Cornhuskers #94 Replica Football Jersey - Scarlet
    Nike Florida State Seminoles (FSU) Ladies My School Local T-shirt - Garnet http://www.foxsportsshop.com/FOX_Florida_State_Seminoles/browse/featuredproduct/520956/source/prsp_ca http://images.footballfanatics.com/FFImage/thumb.aspx?i=/productImages/_520000/ff_520956_xl.jpg&w=100 19.95 Nike Florida State Seminoles (FSU) Ladies My School Local T-shirt - Garnet
    Nike Kansas State Wildcats Classic Logo Long Sleeve T-Shirt - Purple http://www.foxsportsshop.com/FOX_Kansas_State_Wildcats/browse/featuredproduct/681476/source/prsp_ca http://images.footballfanatics.com/FFImage/thumb.aspx?i=/productImages/_681000/ff_681476_xl.jpg&w=100 23.95 Nike Kansas State Wildcats Classic Logo Long Sleeve T-Shirt - Purple
    Nike Alabama Crimson Tide #3 2012 BCS National Championship Game Replica Football Jersey - Crimson http://www.foxsportsshop.com/FOX_Alabama_Crimson_Tide/browse/featuredproduct/771453/source/prsp_ca http://images.footballfanatics.com/FFImage/thumb.aspx?i=/productImages/_771000/ff_771453_xl.jpg&w=100 64.95 Nike Alabama Crimson Tide #3 2012 BCS National Championship Game Replica Footbal..
    Nike Ohio State Buckeyes New Coach T-Shirt - Scarlet http://www.foxsportsshop.com/FOX_Ohio_State_Buckeyes/browse/featuredproduct/775105/source/prsp_ca http://images.footballfanatics.com/FFImage/thumb.aspx?i=/productImages/_775000/ff_775105_xl.jpg&w=100 24.95 Nike Ohio State Buckeyes New Coach T-Shirt - Scarlet
    Nike LSU Tigers Ash 2012 BCS National Championship Bound Target Knock Out Performance Pullover Hoodie Sweatshirt http://www.foxsportsshop.com/FOX_LSU_Tigers/browse/featuredproduct/776277/source/prsp_ca http://images.footballfanatics.com/FFImage/thumb.aspx?i=/productImages/_776000/ff_776277_xl.jpg&w=100 69.95 Nike LSU Tigers Ash 2012 BCS National Championship Bound Target Knock Out Perfo..
    Nike Oklahoma State Cowboys 2012 Fiesta Bowl Champions Locker Room T-Shirt - Charcoal http://www.foxsportsshop.com/FOX_Oklahoma_State_Cowboys/browse/featuredproduct/780963/source/prsp_ca http://images.footballfanatics.com/FFImage/thumb.aspx?i=/productImages/_780000/ff_780963_xl.jpg&w=100 24.95 Nike Oklahoma State Cowboys 2012 Fiesta Bowl Champions Locker Room T-Shirt - Cha..
Microsoft© 2012 Microsoft