[Bernini]

Florida Football

12/05/2007

One of the main things that FloridaFB.com has been able to do that nobody has been able to match is our ability to find players early, evaluate them from the beginning and follow their progress through their careers.

With our solid relationships with coaches across the state, we have the pleasure of getting information on athletes way before many ever hear about them. Here is one of those players who we've been in on for three years already.

Today, IN THE HUDDLE brings you the west coast as we showcase yet another underclassman we had in our Florida Football Magazine as one of the top players for the Class of 2009.

IN THE HUDDLE has taken you to practice sessions in Miramar, pre-game workouts in South Walton County, and camps and combines from Winter Garden to the the Tampa area, where Smith and his teammates continue to have success with talent at every position.
THE SMITH REPORT

NAME: Jamiel "Petey" Smith
SCHOOL: Armwood
CITY: Seffner
POSITION: LB
HEIGHT: 6-0
WEIGHT: 235
40 TIME: 4.55 (Reported)
HEAD COACH: Sean Callahan

SCOUTING SMITH: From the first time we saw this talented athlete play, there was a sense of amazement how someone with this size could move so well. He is unstoppable, playing downhill on just about every play. He sheds blockers very well, has great hips, a tremendous base in which to work from and has tremendous vision, picking up plays early on like some of the great linebacking prospects.

As a run-stopper, he gets himself into position to become part of every play. Whether initiating the action for assisting after one of his tremendous teammates makes the stop, he has a knack to be around the ball.

He reminds many of former Pompano Beach Ely and University of Pittsburgh linebacker Clint Sessions, who is now playing with the Indianapolis Colts.

On passing downs, his knowledge, anticipation and ability to read the quarterback has made him such an elite football talent. This will be a player who will be among the nation's best during his senior season.

SMITH STATS: Has been one of the elite football players the past two season for the Hawks. Was first spotted by FloridaFB.com as a freshman. Smith suffered a bladder infection back in September and underwent two abdominal surgeries, forcing him to miss nearly two months.

His brother, Eric, a senior for the Hawks, has been one of the best running backs in the state the past two years.

WHAT THE COLLEGE RECRUITERS ARE SAYING: "Over the years I have watched so many quality football players in this state. In that time, I can honestly say that I haven't see a kid, at such a young age, who dominates the way this young man does."

HIS BAGS ARE PACKED: While it's early in the recruiting process, programs such as LSU, Florida, Florida State, Florida Atlantic, South Florida, Miami and Ohio State are in the mix.