What does landing Corey Smith mean to Penn State?: Commitment impact
Penn State added its 13th Class of 2024 commitment on Friday when Waukesha, Wisc., four-star running back Corey Smith selected the program. He is the second player from Catholic Memorial to pick the Lions this month, as four-star offensive lineman Donovan Harbour did so back on April 18.
Smith stands 5-foot-11, 175 pounds. Penn State worked itself into the pole position for the junior after hosting him twice this spring. The back was on campus once in March and then again for the Blue-White game. He never released a list of finalists, but others were involved. No one seemed to be in shouting distance of the Nittany Lions, though.
What does Smith’s commitment mean to Penn State?
The commitment marks another victory on the recruiting trail for running backs coach and ace recruiter Ja’Juan Seider. He now has two future running backs in Pittsburgh four-star athlete Quinton Martin and Smith.
“Coach Seider is my guy,” Smith told BWI. “I love that he always got straight to the point. He never tried to lean me or steer me into a different direction with anything. He kept it real the whole time, telling me a lot of things that other coaches weren’t telling me. I appreciated that. I trusted him and felt like we had a real bond right away.”
It should come as no surprise that the Lions wanted two running backs in this cycle. Martin and Smith arrive for the 2024 season. That, of course, is when current stars Nicholas Singleton and Kaytron Allen enter their third year in college. While it’s not crazy to think both could return for a fourth, one is likely to and both could also declare early for the NFL Draft. And, transfer Trey Potts could apply for a third year in State College but will likely be done after the 2024 season, too.
Thus, adding a pair behind Class of 2023 signees London Montgomery and Cameron Wallace was a must. And, that mission is now just months away from pen hitting paper and being accomplished.
In other words, the duo’s commitment ensures strong backfield depth at Penn State for years to come.
What do the Lions get in Smith?
Here’s how BWI film analyst Thomas Frank Carr evaluates to the new Nittany Lion:
“Typically, Penn State doesn’t do change-of-pace players or third down backs. Instead, they rotate by series, so a player needs to be able to function in all situations and succeed. Despite his size concerns, Smith can be that for Seider. He doesn’t need to be a violent runner who seeks out contact; he just needs the strength to break the tackles he’s breaking now. That is attainable. If he continues to develop, he’ll be one of the most well-rounded players at running back.”
Class of 2024 breakdown
First, here’s the commitment rundown for the Penn State Class of 2024:
April 28, 2023 — Waukesha, Wisc., four-star running back Corey Smith.
Apr. 25, 2023 — Cornelius, N.C., three-star tackle Eagan Boyer.
Apr. 24, 2023 — Hartland, Wisc., three-star tackle Garrett Sexton.
April 18, 2023 — Waukesha, Wisc., four-star offensive lineman Donovan Harbour.
April 15, 2023 — Reading, Pa., three-star athlete Caleb Brewer.
Apr. 10, 2023 — Jacksonville, Fla., three-star cornerback Antoine Belgrave-Shorter.
April 7, 2023 – Pittsburgh, Pa., four-star athlete Quinton Martin.
April 1, 2023 – Jacksonville, Fla., four-star cornerback Jon Mitchell.
March 25, 2023 – Westford, Mass., three-star tight end Luke Reynolds
March 3, 2023 – Philadelphia, Pa., three-star cornerback Kenny Woseley Jr.
Feb. 28, 2023 — Bloomfield Hills, Mich., three-star linebacker Kari Jackson
Jan. 17, 2023 — Pittsburgh, Pa., four-star linebacker Anthony Speca
Jan. 29, 2022 — Erie, Pa., four-star interior offensive lineman Cooper Cousins
Here’s how the class breaks down by state:
Pennsylvania – 5
Wisconsin – 3
Florida – 2
Michigan – 1
Massachusetts – 1
North Carolina – 1
Here’s how it breaks down by position:
Offensive lineman – 4
Running back – 2
Cornerback – 3
Linebacker – 2
Tight end – 1
Athlete – 1
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