One of the state’s biggest stock risers in the 2026 PRzMN Rankings Update, Spring Lake Park’s 2026 6’2, 190 lb. ATH/DE Jamal Smith Jamal Smith 6'2" | 190 lbs | ATH Spring Lake Park | 2026 State MN was just featured in one of the update’s premier articles published yesterday on the site, so I’ll do my best to try and not repeat myself for the sake of this speed-focused write-up. At 6’2 and over 190 lbs., Smith popped off a 32″ vert, a 4.56 40, two 4.44 shuttles, and a 9’7 broad jump at last month’s PrepRedzoneMN Showcase to put a giant spotlight on his top-tier athleticism, which also happens to include a PR of 10.82 in the 100M, 22.61 in the 200M, and 19’7″ in the long jump. Smith even had three sub-11-second 100M dashes this past spring, as well as a recent 6.83 60M indoor time at the USATF Minnesota All-Comers Meet, and everybody should know that track speed is a whole different ball game to defend on the gridiron.

The size and speed combination doesn’t scream DE at first glance, so I’m really curious as to where he projects best positionally at the next level. As primarily a standup EDGE, Smith does a lot of good things as a pass rusher, showing both bend at a bit of twitch to beat blocks, but the excellent speed predominantly shows up when he closes and pursues QBs and ball carriers in the backfield, as well as in his track-like first step and get off at the snap. To be honest, I wish he could show off the speed a little bit more on the gridiron, and it’s hard not to think about how he’d look as an off-ball linebacker or potentially a RB, though I’m sure SLP has tinkered around with things behind the scenes. The bottom line is that I believe good college coaches and staff can get the most out of a versatile player with the rare and legitimate speed that Smith possesses, and I hope he gets a chance to show it off in the summer camp circuit. He’s got a great frame that could hold more weight at the next level, another huge plus, and I think he’s going to force colleges to pay attention to his upside and raw talent when he posts some outstanding 100 and 200M times this upcoming outdoor season. Enjoy this recruiting mystery’s time as a prep while we have him.

Saw His Ranking Rise 98 Spots from #147 to #49

An astounding almost 100-spot jump for the Spring Lake Park 2026 ATH in the latest update is powered primarily by Jamal Smith Jamal Smith 6'2" | 190 lbs | ATH Spring Lake Park | 2026 State MN ‘s top-tier, verified, flat-out dangerous speed. Smith had one of the best performances at a PrepRedzoneMN Showcase that we have ever seen, coming in at almost 6’2 and over 190 lbs., Smith popped off a 32″ vert, a 4.56 40, two 4.44 shuttles, and a 9’7 broad jump to put a giant spotlight on his top-tier athleticism, which also happens to include a PR of 10.82 in the 100M, 22.61 in the 200M, and 19’7″ in the long jump. Smith even had three sub-11-second 100M dashes this past spring, as well as a recent 6.83 60M indoor time at the USATF Minnesota All-Comers Meet, and everybody should know that track speed is a whole different ball game to defend on the gridiron. That’s got Top 50 prospect written all over it. The thing about Smith is that is plays DE for the Panthers. At 6’1+ 190 lbs., Smith is far from small, but he’s still undersized for a hand-down DE going into the college ranks, leading to the “ATH” designation on his player profile. It really muddies the water regarding how he projects to the next level, but good coaches and good developers can always take advantage of raw athleticism and versatility, especially with the kind of twitch and closing speed Smith shows on the tape.

The junior, who is fresh off a Junior Day visit to the University of St. Thomas, posted 45 tackles, 5.5 sacks, 2 TFLs, 2 FF, 13 QBH, and a PBU as a standup EDGE in 2024, displaying a quick get-off and bend at the top of the arc when rushing the passer, and as his 5.5 sacks show, he’s capable of doing so with success. Smith is twitchy when defeating blocks, can eat and work off contact, and beat blocks with physicality, and it’s eye-catching how fast he gets in the backfield and closes. QBs can barely blink before he’s right in their grill and laying the wood. The 190 lber. naturally gets his hands on the rock and strips to create turnovers. Has a good rep of him ripping the ball out of a Monticello RB’s hands like he was taking candy from a baby, and Smith is a good tackler who can power through stiff-arms and create physical collisions that drive ball carriers backwards to negate extra yardage gains. Definitely a current in-betweener in terms of size and position, I still think the verified explosiveness and athleticism is too hard to ignore when talking best players in the state. Look for Smith to continue rising up the Big Board depending on how the offseason goes.