Hello: Vincent Smith

This blog was slightly occupied last Friday when Pahokee, FL, teammates Brandin Hawthorne and Vincent Smith committed to Michigan, but better late than never. Everything the internet can offer on Michigan’s newest electron-sized recruit follows, now with organization and stuff.

GURU RATINGS

In a word: “meh,” but we are talking about a 5’7” player here who is a poor fit for a lot of offenses and doesn’t have much pro upside. ESPN scouting report($) clip:

Shows a second gear when he gets outside on the perimeter and can separate in the second level with good top-end speed. However, he does appear quicker than fast and is not the burner you hope for on film with his smaller size. Runs hard and is a tough, determined back, but yards after contact should diminish at the next level versus bigger more explosive defenders.

They say he could be a “productive change of pace back” in the spread, which is kind of damning him with faint praise.

His teammates and coach are a bit more positive, as you might imagine:

His production -- more than 1,000 yards rushing last season -- helped lead the Blue Devils to the 2B state championship and USA Today's No. 6 national ranking.

And then there's his build, which Thompson simply called ``that spread-offense body.'' …

''He can do a lot,'' Pahokee quarterback-to-be Nu'Keese Richardson said, ``as far as catching it out [of] the backfield, making guys miss and stuff like that.''

Added coach Blaze Thompson: ``When he goes to camps, he'll go from wide receiver to running back, wide receiver to running back.

"He runs great routes, and he's powerful.''

A slot move may be a possibility down the road.

OFFERS

Smith had two other major offers from Tennessee and Wisconsin. Minnesota, Iowa State, and Southern Miss also offered. In-state programs were not interested.

Okay, kind of meh too but it’s notable that Michigan’s offer went out fast:

''[When I got] my first offer from Michigan,'' Smith said, ``I knew then I was going to be good.''

He got it in early March, before Michigan offered a bunch of other high-profile guys. They IDed him early and had him high on their list.

STATS

Lot of yards, as per usual:

Smith, a running back, led Pahokee in rushing the past two seasons and rushed for 1,196 yards last year.

Sophomore numbers were impressive:

Just behind him [FL recruit Janoris Jenkins] is the "starting" tailback Vincent Smith. Smith, a sophomore who goes 5-9 and 174 pounds, has 85 carries for 925 yards (10.3 per carry) and 15 TDs.

Keep in mind that Pahokee plays at a small-school level in Florida and dominates the competition—they’re gearing up for a run at a fourth straight state championship—and the silly YPC above should be taken with a grain of salt.

FAKE 40 TIME

Fake, fake, fake:

Indeed he is. Smith might come up short, height-wise (he lists himself at 5-9, although some have him at 5-7), but not in many other places.

His 40-yard dash time -- the high 4.3-range and dropping, he says -- is stellar.

Fake!

VIDEO

This compilation of runs from last year’s state championship game—which they won 53-14— is uncommonly useful because it’s not a highlight reel; in it Smith looks A) tiny, B) shifty, and C) feisty.

And this has featured on the blog before, but here’s Smith narrated by Pat Summerall:

Pat Summerall, people! This kid is no joke.

PREDICTION BASED ON FLIMSY EVIDENCE

If you want to argue this guy is a big deal, you’ve got Michigan’s lickety-split offer on your side. If you want to say “meh” you’ve got his other offers, the reaction of the instate schools, and the guru ratings. He’s obviously got a chance to be useful, but with four higher-rated guys in the last two classes, “useful” is a realistic upside.

UPSHOT FOR THE REST OF THE CLASS

Smith is Michigan’s third running back commit or second slot commit or third slot commit or something. To rephrase: Michigan now has four guys in the class who will play running back or slot receiver; they graduate no running backs or slot receivers. They’re done. There’s not even anyone on the radar anymore.

Etc.: Smith intends to enroll early; 108 yards against Vero Beach; Pahokee just blew a 47-20 lead by sitting out the starters… and a Smith fumble on a KO return.