Commitment Breakdown: What Auburn is getting in 4-star WR Derick Smith
Everything you need to know about new Auburn commit, 4-star wide receiver Derick Smith from Selma (Ala.) Southside.
The Smith File
— Smith is bigger than most think in person. He has long torso and long arms at 6-foot 185 pounds. Smith is built to hold around 200 pounds on the next level.
— Smith is a dynamic athlete. He is lightning quick, has the track speed, and has a knack for making plays. On offense, he is a homerun hitter. On defense, he is a threat to make a big stop or make a play on the ball in the air.
— The most underrated attribute of Smith is his physicality. He plays with a nasty streak and loves taunting opponents no matter what side of the ball. He let’s his playing do the talking.
Auburn fit
— Auburn will give Smith a choice, but he tells Auburn Live there is no positional preference. The Tigers want him on offense, though.
— Smith is not limited at receiver. He is a fit in the slot or on the outside. He would make an excellent kick/punt returner, too.
Football IQ
— Smith’s football IQ is all about instinct. He will be raw at receiver. There will be a learning curve with the intricate details. Smith has the best ball-carrying instinct I have seen in person. He can make something out of nothing. He reminds me of a lot of Kadarius Toney in his Florida days.
Derick Smith (Photo: Cole Pinkston/Auburn Live)
SEC readiness
— Physically and athletically, Smith will be ready to roll. Mentally, as a developing wide receiver, Smith will need some time to figure it out. His skillset is too good to hold back. There will be plays designed to get him in space early in his Auburn career.
In-person eval
— Smith is one of the better athletes I have seen in person since covering recruiting. He is lightning quick and has excellent long-speed. He gets to full speed in a hurry. Smith is one of the most athletic players in the class of 2025. His acceleration is nearly unmatched.
— Smith excelled on both sides of the ball, but really shined on defense. He played safety, corner, and at the linebacker level. He was the best when chasing down a play from behind. Smith made several plays on the opposite side of the field while the ball was going away from him. That is tough to do.
— On the offensive side of the ball, it wasn’t always easy to get it to him down the field, so screens were often used to get the ball in his hands. He took one screen for over 80 yards and a touchdown. It looks very easy for him when he is surrounded by defenders. He is a natural ball carrier.
— Smith will have to hold on to the ball better. He fumbled twice and dropped a punt. It was wet, but he doesn’t hold the ball correctly at this point and has to put some emphasis on that moving forward.
— Smith is one of the more raw football players I have watched. His football IQ is low right now when it comes to playing a specific position. His football IQ is high when it comes to natural instinct… Very high. He has the elite athleticism necessary, but it will take some time to learn whatever position he plays in college. Of course, he still has this season and next to learn.
Derick Smith (Photo: Cole Pinkston/Auburn Live)
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