Playing as a bookend on both side of the trenches for the Tigers in his freshman season, Ben Smith Ben Smith 6'3" | 250 lbs | OL/EDGE Gilbert | 2029 IA flashed a lot of upside to hold his ground as he saw most of his playing time offensively at Right Tackle. Smith is quick and agile, being able to widen his stance and shuffle his feet well to stay in front of his defender without giving up much leeway for them to gain leverage, while also flashing an impressive amount of natural power and bend to drive and twist defenders to the ground. Smith should become a regular starter for Gilbert in 2026 that could see prominent playing time on both sides of the ball.

Smith played for a Gilbert freshman team in 2025 that won all eight of its games, most of them convincingly. It should set up key members of that squad to contributed on the varsity in 2026 with the Tigers taking graduation hits to the roster. Smith appears like a student-athlete ready for an opportunity when watching his ninth-grade highlight video. First, he’s physically advanced for his age with a frame with plenty of room for growth. Combining that potential with speed and agility provides a substantial ceiling for Smith. And that’s on both sides of the ball. There’s upside as a slick-footed O-Lineman with power or an explosive defensive lineman.