'07 KS LB Brian Smith (Signed LOI to Notre Dame)

[Irish Envy]

Brian Smith - Linebacker (6-2/222)
St. Thomas Aquinas HS (Overland Park, KS)

Combine
Forty: 4.72 Seconds
Bench Reps: 14
Bench Max: N/A
Squat Max: N/A
Shuttle: 4.5 Seconds
Vertical: 29 Inches

Rankings & Accolades
- Rivals.com Inside Linebackers 2007 (12)
- Rivals.com Kansas Top 15 2007 (3)
- Scout.com Inside Linebackers 2007 (30)

Star Ratings
Rivals.com:
Scout.com:

School Choices
1. Iowa (Soft Verbal)
2. Notre Dame
3. Arizona State
4. Kansas
5. Kansas State
6. Michigan
7. Missouri
8. Nebraska

 

[Irish Envy]

 

[Irish Envy]

This kid is IRISH with an offer. Dad played here (Chris Smith) in the early 80s, he went to the Fiesta Bowl and he gleams when he talks about Notre Dame.

Also, he hits like a damn mack truck. Some of the most impressive hits I've seen in awhile. He had one where he hit a RB in the backfield, who fumbled the ball and laid there kicking his legs. I mean, LIT HIM UP!

Also, there is a clip on Rivals that I watched where he was playing FB. He left the backfield about 7 yards in a pass route, noticed his QB was being pushed back out of the pocket and he went back and BLEW UP the two defenders that were chasing his QB. That kid didn't move for awhile, either.

After watching his clips, he has moved into my Top 5 LB list.

 

[jiggafini19]

If they're going to get a legacy, I hope it is Brian Smith at MLB. His video made me forget all about Kyle Jackson.

I posted this on May 2. From the minute I saw this guy's highlight reel, I immediately adjusted my wish list. I like Kyle Jackson a lot, but Brian Smith is someone I like even more.

 

[Irish Envy]

I must have missed that because I normally check out whomever you recommend. He hits so damn hard I had snot bubbles coming out my nose. I think he is a must get kid regardless of star rating.

Since he is a legacy, the tradition means something to him, so he would be a positive kid to have in the class, sorta like the glue of the class. Man, just impressed. I'm sure his grades are all squared away too coming from a Domer family and playing at a Catholic school like he does.

 

[jiggafini19]

I put Smith up there with Richetti Jones and Major Wright....that's how much I like him.

You see his video and you can't help but be impressed by him. If ND ends up with Nagel, Smith, Dailey and Martez Wilson at LB I'll be pretty happy.

I get the feeling Paskorz will end up being in there and Dailey will not.

 

[irishnd31]

Hey, if you boys are that high on him, I like him too. I would love to see the film that you guys saw. In the Getting To Know Each Other thread, I stated that Glenn Earl was my favorite Domer of all time. I love how that dude popped. Left no doubt on every tackle. From the sounds of this kid, he's built of the same mold.

If you have any way of putting some film of the kid on here, I would appreciate it.

 

[SuperBowlIVBaby]

I agree with all of you about this guys potential. The question I have is do we know who his real favorite is. One of you mentioned that we if we offer him he will be Irish. But, on Rivals it show Michigan as the only one he has "High" interest in. Is this just a matter of who has offered and who has not in terms of his interest priority? Any light shed would be apprecitated.

 

[Irish Envy]

I agree with all of you about this guys potential. The question I have is do we know who his real favorite is. One of you mentioned that we if we offer him he will be Irish. But, on Rivals it show Michigan as the only one he has "High" interest in. Is this just a matter of who has offered and who has not in terms of his interest priority? Any light shed would be apprecitated.

He is Irish if offered. He was interview on AMP and basically just kept gleaming about Notre Dame. If I have a few minutes here in a bit, I'll transcribe what he said.

 

[Irish Envy]

Here you go:

"Everything I go there, I walk back with a whole new feeling... it's like Wow! I want to go to that school. They have great tradition, they have great everything there and I just love seeing all of the Gold helmets rush out of the tunnel. Oh, it's a good time."

What may be better is the facial expression when he is talking about Notre Dame. He is being recruiting by Minter and Ianello. He likes Ianello because he is laid back and down to Earth. Offer him already! LOL

 

[jiggafini19]

Jason Sapp says ND is recruiting him at both LB and FB.

 

[scooper]

FB is interesting. We're really not that deep there when you consider a true freshman had to step in. Schmidt is probably going to be there, but he could also play a bit of an h-back role.

 

[Irish Envy]

I don't think you can waste his hitting ability. Kids that inflict punishment like he does are meant to play defense. He is a Natural Born Hitter.

 

[SuperBowlIVBaby]

Thanks Boda! That pretty much says it all. I love to see kids showing this kind of passion about ND. It always makes me more excited about the prospect even if they are relatively unknown. But according to you guys, Brian Smith should be considered a top LB. Makes me like him even more.

 

[jiggafini19]

You all know my bias, but I agree with Svoboda. Smith isn't afraid of contact. He goes after people without fear.

(I do like Mark Barnes at WR instead of safety, though).

 

[Irish Envy]

Smith with be at Notre Dame for the June 3rd camp. There are indiciations that he is waiting on an offer from us or Michigan and he may be one to verbal on the spot to either program.

Take that for what it's worth.

 

[Indydomer]

Now that Paskorz verballed do you think we will still offer this kid. I like him better than Paskorz. Paskorz just seems small to me for a LB.

 

[Irish Envy]

Now that Paskorz verballed do you think we will still offer this kid. I like him better than Paskorz. Paskorz just seems small to me for a LB.

Paskorz is an OLB whereas Smith would be an ILB. Check out the linebacking piece I did today. It's on the front page.

 

[Irish Envy]

Smith recently picked up offers from Michigan State and Nebraska.

 

[Irish Envy]

Smith is still enamored with Notre Dame, but his speed (4.72) may be holding him back from an offer. I sure hope not, he is one of the best LB hitters I've seen on film this year.

 

[Irish Envy]

Smith is heading up to Nebraska today for an unofficial visit, then will be attending camp at Iowa to check them out. Man, if we lose this kid to a program like Iowa, I'll be disappointed.

 

[Irish Envy]

Iowa gave Smith an offer. You know, I admire Iowa's ability to recruit and develop linebackers. Man, i want this kid.

 

[knute]

"I really want to go to Notre Dame." Smith told Scout.com. "Notre Dame has always been my dream school. My dad went to school there, played football there, and I never missed a game growing up. My favorites right now are Notre Dame, Michigan, Kansas State, Missouri, Nebraska, Florida and Michigan State."

http://msn.foxsports.com/cfb/story/5720960

 

[BigIrish]

why haven't we offered this kid? it can't be just because of the 40 time, can it?

 

[jiggafini19]

I think Notre Dame wants Chris Donald first. Donald will visit next week and then choose. If he goes Tennessee, then Smith might end up getting an offer.

 

[scooper]

I'm starting to like our chances with Donald.

 

[jiggafini19]

Bad news from Blue and Gold Illustrated...

It appears that Brian Smith spoke with Rob Ianello and they don't intend to extend an offer. I think this says a lot about where ND stands with linebacker recruiting.

Funny, a few years ago Myles Wade and Brian Smith would be top flight recruits for Notre Dame. Now kids like this, good kids and good players, aren't getting scholarship offers.

I have to think Nic Pozderac is in the same boat as Smith.

 

[jiggafini19]

Graded out at 3 stars with a 5.7 ranking.

Interesting that Andrew Dailey was rated at 5.8

 

[Irish Envy]

"The only thing I've really done lately is research the schools and give thought to where I might want to go," Smith, who's rated No. three on the Kansas top 15 for 2007, said. "With that in mind, I've narrowed it down to a top six - well, actually a top five with Michigan, who hasn't offered yet, as No. 6. Kansas State, Iowa, Michigan State, Nebraska and Missouri would be the other five I'm focused on the most at the moment."

Good luck to the kid. I hope he doesn't end up at Michigan. He could come back to haunt us.

 

[Irish Envy]

"I think it's going to come down to K-State and Iowa," said Smith. "That's my top two and they're pretty even. I'm going to sit down with my parents and I'm hoping to decide here pretty soon, maybe within the next week."

Wow, Iowa. I think he is going to turn out to be a very solid college player and I still love watching his video.