Jacques Smith eyes future with Vols

Jacques Smith eyes future with Vols

By MARK NAGI
6 Sports Anchor/Reporter

OOLTEWAH (WATE) -- Ooltewah high school defensive end Jacques Smith loves to play football.  He's become the top recruit in the entire state of Tennessee. 

He won the Mr. Football lineman of the year award last year, with 76 tackles in 2008.  28 of those stops were for a loss.  He also has 13 sacks during his junior season with the Owls.

"The thing I like about him the most is that he goes all the time... he never stops," said Ooltewah head coach Benny Monroe.  "If you are running with the ball, he will find you eventually, and that is just the way he plays."

At 6-4, 240 pounds, Smith has been a dominating presence on the high school fields, but he knows it's going to take a lot more, to succeed in college...

"Your technique has to be on point," said Smith. "My strength is up there, my conditioning is up there... Just gotta work on those small little things, because that's what matters at the next level."

Smith originally committed to the Vols after his sophomore season.  After Phillip Fulmer and his coaching staff were fired, Smith decided to look around, admitting that for a short period of time, Georgia was a major player for his services. 

But after getting to know Lane Kiffin, Ed Orgeron and some of the other new Tennessee coaches, he was sold on a future at UT.

"I'm just so close with the coaches, even closer than the staff before," said Smith.  "I don't think there is anyone that can break that relationship apart."

And Jacques Smith is hoping to bring more than just his own talents to Knoxville.  He's working hard to be one of the Vols top recruiters for the class of 2010.  Smith believes that all his phone calls and texts to fellow recruits, could make a big difference come national signing day.

"We have a number of athletes in this state alone that I'm going after," said Smith.
"You're going through the same things... our lifestyles are totally the same right now."

It can be a stressful process.  But just like the line of scrimmage, Jacques Smith seems to have the recruiting game under control.

And as for the reason Smith loves to play football?

"You can hit someone as hard as you want and not get in trouble... how about that!"