Metro 6A/7A Preview: Ben L. Smith

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Ben L. Smith is looking to bounce back after a tough season, and there's plenty of reason for optimism. I had the chance to watch the Golden Eagles at the Fayetteville State 7v7 a couple of weeks ago, and they are far from short on talent. They have a group of big, physical skill players who can really run, giving them the athleticism to make plays all over the field.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>What also stood out was seeing their linemen compete in the Lineman Challenge, showing the program's commitment to developing talent across the roster. If the offseason progress carries over into the fall, Ben L. Smith has the look of a team capable of making a playoff run. The talent is there—now it's about putting everything together on Friday nights.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2173570"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6a43cd7342110"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='2173570' first='Jeremiah' last='Alls'] is the heart and soul of the Ben L. Smith defense. The rising senior averaged nearly eight tackles per game last season and brings a physical, high-motor presence to every snap. Strong, instinctive, and fast, Alls consistently finds his way to the football.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>His versatility makes him an intriguing college prospect. With the size and athleticism to play either overhang safety or outside linebacker at the next level, Alls has the ability to impact the game in multiple ways and will be one of the leaders the Golden Eagles lean on this season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":2239042,"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6a444ab8c0ca7"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='2239042' first='Devon' last='Mills'] is one of the top all-purpose backs in the Class of 2028. The rising junior totaled around 500 all-purpose yards and three touchdowns last season, with all of his scores coming through the air rather than on the ground. His versatility as a receiver out of the backfield makes him a difficult matchup for defenses.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>With an expanded role in the offense this season, Mills' production should take a significant jump. Expect his touches to increase, giving him a chance to more than double last year's numbers and emerge as one of the Golden Eagles' top offensive playmakers.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":2239046,"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6a444ab8c0ce8"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='2239046' first='Dexter' last='Kouame'] may be a bit undersized for a traditional edge rusher, but his production speaks for itself. At 6-foot, 200 pounds, he has more of a linebacker build, yet he consistently creates pressure off the edge with his speed, quickness, and relentless motor. He recorded 2.5 sacks last season while proving he can disrupt opposing offenses.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Kouame wins with explosiveness and technique rather than size. His ability to bend the edge and close on quarterbacks makes him a difficult matchup, and with another year of development, he has the potential to significantly increase his production this fall.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":2239047,"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6a444ab8c0d0d"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='2239047' first='Jeremiah' last='Baskerville'] is a rising star on the defensive line for the Golden Eagles. The Class of 2028 prospect is a physical presence with strong hands, impressive power, and the ability to control the line of scrimmage. While he may still be flying under the radar, Baskerville is a true diamond in the rough.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>With another offseason of development, expect Baskerville to emerge as one of Ben L. Smith's top defensive playmakers this season. His combination of strength, toughness, and upside gives him the tools to become one of the area's breakout defensive linemen.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["866216"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6a444ab8c0d32"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='866216' first='Eliyus' last='Wall'] is one of the top two-way playmakers for Ben L. Smith and a player who rarely comes off the field. His versatility allows him to make an impact on both offense and defense, giving the Golden Eagles a dynamic athlete they can rely on in every phase of the game.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>With the amount of snaps he'll see this season, Wall should have plenty of opportunities to make game-changing plays. Whether it's creating explosive plays with the ball in his hands or making key stops on defense, expect him to be one of Ben L. Smith's biggest difference-makers all season long.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->