Recruiting Spotlight: Jeremiah Smythe – Aitkin (2021)
With only a few seniors expected to contribute to the Aitkin Gobblers’ 2019 football season, the year looked like a rebuilding year. Nobody bothered to tell those few seniors or last year’s juniors. The Gobblers won five regular-season games and…
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Continue ReadingWith only a few seniors expected to contribute to the Aitkin Gobblers’ 2019 football season, the year looked like a rebuilding year. Nobody bothered to tell those few seniors or last year’s juniors. The Gobblers won five regular-season games and won a playoff game before falling in the section finals by one point. Coming into his senior year, Jeremiah Smythe Jeremiah Smythe 6'1" | DB Aitkin | 2021 State MN is confident his team is set up for a big season.
“Last year, we were labeled as underdogs,” Smythe said. “We had a small senior class, but we put everything into it and played for each other. When we were doing well, it was like we didn’t even have to communicate – we were just clicking.”
The team was built on tried and true high school football philosophies.
“We were a strong running team,” a confident Smythe explained. “Defensively, we have a great coaching staff, and they come up with great schemes for our defense. This will be one of the best senior classes I think we have had in a long time. I am expecting us to win every regular-season game because I think we can.”
Smythe will soon be a three-year starter but made a significant position change before his junior season.
“My sophomore year, I started at outside linebacker and played some wide receiver and tight end,” the two-way player said. “Before my junior year, the coaches decided to move me to the offensive line because I put on about twenty pounds. It went well – I was voted best offensive lineman on the team. I think I hit the ground running with it. Defensively, I was the play-caller; I love to lead on the defensive side of the ball.”
The transition to offensive tackle was helped by one of those five seniors.
“The transition was tough. I was at right tackle, and my right guard was captain of the team, so he helped me through everything. It went really well. The hardest part was learning the techniques – especially pass blocking.”
Smythe feels he is best in space.
“I love sweeps, so I can pull or reach the defensive end. I like down blocks too – that is where you get pancakes.”
The 6’1″ 205-pound senior played outside linebacker in the team’s base 3-5 defense.
“I would say I am pretty well rounded on defense,” Smythe told prepredzone.com, “but I think my biggest strength is reading the play.”
During the winter, Smythe switches from football pads to goalie pads.
“I play hockey, and usually we would lift during the season too. I am the starting goalie. I have been playing hockey since I was six-years-old.”
Smythe was able to adjust to the COVID19 protocols effectively.
“It was weird because of quarantine, but every day I would get up early, go to the field, and work on ripping, shedding blocks, and I would work on my pass blocking. This spring, we were able to have nine people in the weight room at a time. So, we would be able to get in our lifting and then work on our agility and speed.”
So far, Smythe – who enjoys following politics – has enjoyed the politics of the recruiting game.
“Recruiting is going pretty good right now. I have talked with Hamline, Minot State, Sioux Falls, St. Scholastica, and other DII and DIII schools,” Smythe explained. “I would guess I am being recruited as a defensive player. Hamline and Minot have said I am a good fit for them both athletically and academically.”
With his ability to adapt, Smythe will be a good fit for any football program he plays for in college. Before he gets to that, he has business to finish in Aitkin – helping put together one of the best Class AAA teams in the state.