Smith’s suddenness is his signature trait; he’s extremely quick in the short area and not only gets up to top speed in the blink of an eye but also boasts top-notch deceleration. He threatens to run right past defenders but can instantaneously hit the brakes to create separation, snapping off curl routes, dig routes, and comebacks that leave corners spinning and flailing. He’s tough to stick with on two-way option routes, and the way he stutters, cuts, and blows past coverage makes him look like a point guard who’s beating a defender off the dribble. He’s quick footed and elusive after the catch.

Derick Smith Derick Smith 6'2" | 180 lbs | WR Southside | 2025 State AL is one of the top prospects in the 2025 class and has thrived on both sides of the ball at WR and DB for Southside the last two years. Smith has some unbelievable athleticism and instincts that allow him to read plays, break up passes, and disrupt the opposing offense. Smith’s physicality and ability to track the ball make him a reliable presence in the secondary, capable of making impactful plays against both the run and pass- he never shies away from getting low to deliver big hits, and does a great job sticking to targets and not letting anything get thrown to his assignments. Although his production on offense has been superb- 51 carries for 966 yards and 8 touchdowns as well as 57 receptions for 1391 yards and 10 touchdowns- Smith has been a huge factor on defense as well. At DB, Smith recorded 98 total tackles (14 for loss), 4 sacks, 8 interceptions, and 13 pass breakups. With production, skill and talent like that, Smith has gone far from unnoticed at the next level- he’s picked up offers from Alabama, LSU, Georgia, and many other top tier programs!

He shows quality route-running technique and is a competitive receiver who fights for the football. Smith tracks the ball well, has late hands, and is adept at making catches over defensive backs. He has good size and is able to use his build to shield defenders from the football. After the catch, Smith is a quality runner and is able to add yardage while showing some strength to break tackles. He shows some good body control along the sideline to stay in bounds while reeling in passes with close coverage. He is a gritty, and competitive wideout who has a nose for the end zone.

Derick Smith Derick Smith 6'2" | 180 lbs | WR Southside | 2025 State AL is a highly talented athlete that excels on both offense and defense for Southside as a WR/DB. Last year was a massive year for Smith where he put up 966 yards and 8 touchdowns on the ground, 1391 receiving yards and 10 touchdowns, 98 total tackles (14 for loss) 8 interceptions and 13 pass breakups as well. l.  Smith combines his size and speed in a great way that allows him to be a dynamic playmaker at the wide receiver position. Smith’s ability to stretch the field, create separation, and track the ball with precision makes him a super tough target to cover when he has the size and speed that he has. In addition to that, Smith has super reliable hands that allow him to make difficult grabs in traffic and come down with contested catches that are harder to haul in. On the defensive side of the ball, Smith’s size and athleticism make him a dominating presence. Smith can close gaps quickly, and has the strength to be a physical force in coverage and against the run. Smith’s versatility and athleticism enable him to contribute in multiple positions, makes him a valuable asset on both offense and defense and is a big reason why he’s been as highly recruited as he has- he lists offers from Texas, Alabama, Michigan and more!

Derick Smith Derick Smith 6'2" | 180 lbs | WR Southside | 2025 State AL is an unreal talent at multiple positions on both sides of the ball for Southside, this is a prospect with an incredibly bright future ahead of him- his talent is undeniable. Offensively, Smith is a show stopper- generating over 2300 total yards of offense for his team this season both on the ground and through the air. As a WR, Smith flat out dominates- he just wrapped up a sophomore season where he posted 57 receptions for 1391 yards and 10 touchdowns. With his size, speed, hands, and physicality- Smith is deadly after the catch and can make some huge plays downfield over the top of defenders. None of this has gone unnoticed- Smith has already received offers from Alabama, Georgia, Michigan and more!