The Cardinal Countdown: 34 Days Until Kickoff

#34 Jeremy Smith

Class: Senior

Ht/Wt: 6-2/224

Position: Running back

Hometown: Hammond, CA

Twitter: N/A

Thoughts: For the last two years Jeremy Smith has been the “bruiser back” for the Cards, complemented by the more agile and speedier Radcliff out of the backfield. Smith has become the go to in short yardage situations and seemingly every time the Cards got the ball inside the 10 if Lamar didn’t keep it, he got the call. Those situations allowed Jeremy Smith to lead all running backs with 8 touchdowns in 2016, even though he only had 57 attempts (a solid TD thief for your fantasy team). Of course, I don’t want to downplay his game, Smith did show off some wheels last years as well…

The story for Smith was supposed to be slightly different in 2017. While I’m not sold that Smith was destined to be an every down back in the Petrino offense, his role was certainly supposed to be more pronounced heading into the Spring. The first few days he was getting the majority of the carries with Dae Williams and they seemed to be a very dangerous two-headed monster before they both got dinged up, Williams with an ACL injury, Smith with a broken foot. If you read Day 40 you know Williams injury may keep him out until late in the year, but Jeremy’s future in 2017 is looking much better. Petrino said he was progressing well, while speaking at The Governor’s Cup luncheon, and just a few days ago said he was almost back to 100%, but they’d likely place it safe during fall, limiting some reps, etc. For those of you that missed it Jeremy had a Jones fracture, which is the bone on the outside of the foot up by the pinky toe. Sound familiar? This is the same injury that DeVante Parker had…and Emonee Spence….and Keith Towbridge. It’s a full time job just trying to keep up with the Jones…fractures. Sorry.

Wishing for a full recovery for Smith as I think we need that muscle in the backfield. Having a guy who can pickup up 3-4 yards consistently is a huge bonus for the passing game and taking some heat of Lamar. Smith, and the offense in general have to limit the fumbles this year, which have seemed to plague Jeremy in the past. With Dae out, and Reggie having limited experience at the position, the Cards need Smith to step it up, and I think he will.

Sweet Tweet:No twitter for Jeremy so I’m going to run a very similar poll to one I ran last season regarding the running back position. With a couple injuries, some inexperience, and a legit threat from a true freshman, when the 2017 season comes to a close, who do you think stands as the leading rusher for the Cards?