Small Town Recruiting Report: Jeremiah Smythe/Aitkin (2021)

<strong>AITKIN-- </strong>We had a chance to chat with 2021 NFN prospect <strong>Jeremiah Smythe </strong>this week about his play with the <strong>Aitkin Gobblers </strong>where he plays right tackle and is a stud at outside linebacker too. We chatted with Smythe about his play, college interest/pitch, and much more. <strong>Get to Know Jeremiah Smythe</strong> Smythe is a two-way player for the Gobblers and plays outside linebacker and right tackle, although some doubters may say he's too small, Smythe is certainly a workhorse at that position (we'll get to that later) to say the least. Smythe says his "heart" is truly all in the game of football. Just recently, Smythe was named team captain of the Gobblers football team going into his senior year. At the next level, Smythe is reaching for playing linebacker as he thinks his size may be a little more suitable at the next level at that position. His biggest strengths on the football field are his football IQ and the way he leads others with his outstanding leadership skills. Those leadership skills turned Smythe as a junior, as the defensive play caller for his defense in the 2019 season and I'm sure he'll continue that role in 2020. <strong>Favorites About Linebacker</strong> Smythe's favorite about linebacker is the "do it all" mentality the position brings on the field. Stopping the run, rushing the quarterback and dropping back in coverage are all some of the favorite categories at linebacker that Smythe loves to get to work doing every game for the Gobblers. <strong>Recruiting Interest/His Pitch to Coaches</strong> Smythe hasn't had much interest arise from his play for the Gobblers at Aitkin but said he's really getting into it this year. His pitch to coaches is his competition and hard work he brings to the table every game.  "If you outwork me, you are one of kind," Smythe told Northstar Football News about his work ethic. His work ethic speaks for himself, as just a sophomore for the Gobblers he beat out a senior for the starting linebacker position and has been starting ever since for Aitkin at linebacker. Smythe said in his final quote to this question, "I won't let anyone work harder than me,". <strong>Improving for Next Season</strong> The coaching staff of the Aitkin Gobblers football program told Smythe to get even stronger than he was this season. From his sophomore season to his junior season, Smythe put on 20 pounds to 185 pounds, and I am sure has similar goals this year as far as getting bigger, faster and stronger for his senior season with the Gobblers. <strong>Jeremiah's Mentor</strong> Back when Jeremiah was just a sophomore and was a new starter for the Gobblers, he had a senior outside linebacker from the other side take him under his wing. <strong>Garrett Westerlund (2019)</strong> took the sophomore starter thru his process the whole season of Westerlund's senior year and Smythe's sophomore year. The 2019 senior class from Aitkin was a big one, and may have though Smythe was the weak link as he was the only sophomore starter, but <strong>Westerlund's </strong>ability to mentor Smythe is the main reason why Smythe thanks him as his main football mentor today. <strong>Learning from Last Season</strong> The biggest thing Smythe learned was how big of a leader he was on the field in his junior season. He learned about facing transition and getting over adversity quickly. As a junior, Smythe was a tight end/wide receiver and the Gobblers coach threw him into the right tackle role as they trusted Smythe to get the job done. That trust paid dividends for the the Gobblers and Smythe too, as he won "Lineman of the Year" and loved playing the position all year. That also showed that Smythe is always a team player, as he helped fill the weak gap the Gobblers had at right tackle. For more on making Smythe part of your linebacking core in 2021, check out his Hudl profile (click <a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/10012939/Jeremiah-Smythe">here</a>)