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'07 OH QB Chris Smith (Marshall signee)

I'll be at the South Point/Ironton game Friday night and will give a breakdown of the action. It should be a pretty good game. SP is much improved over last year and Ironton is always strong. Ironton plays a soft zone designed to not give up big plays. Should be interesting to see if Smith can move them down the field. Ironton will be superior on the line so he'll have to use short passes most of the night.
 
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Don't be surprised if he is switched over to linebacker though., therefore; OSU could still gun for another QB., if they miss out; well - they would still have Chris as a QB prospect.

I hate to say this, but why would you move a 5 star quarterback to linebacker? That would be like the equivelant of recruiting matt leinart then telling him to play defensive end. Even if he's physically talented enough to play the position, it just doesn't make sense.
 
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gstock05 said:
I hate to say this, but why would you move a 5 star quarterback to linebacker? That would be like the equivelant of recruiting matt leinart then telling him to play defensive end. Even if he's physically talented enough to play the position, it just doesn't make sense.
Because he is as good at linebacker. I will be honest. He is a damn good QB., but I don't know if he is Big Ten good for a QB. I'll give you the perfect example. Remember Jermon Jackson ? He was a TB for OSU around '93 ( and played against same opponents as South Point). He could not be stopped in HS., but when he arrived on campus at OSU., he never developed into the "star" player. I fear the same for Chris ( due to opponents he faces,.the linemen in the OVC average 195 pounds). But, by no means; read anything into this. If I had my wishes, he would be a 4 time winner of the Heisman while @ OSU. But , he is one athlete that can transform over to defense easily.
 
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gstock05 said:
I hate to say this, but why would you move a 5 star quarterback to linebacker? That would be like the equivelant of recruiting matt leinart then telling him to play defensive end. Even if he's physically talented enough to play the position, it just doesn't make sense.
and because rankings don't be squat...
 
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CincyBuck, that is not at all true. Jermon Jackson played at Ironton from "90-"93. They don't play in the OVC or any other teams South Point plays. Ironton plays a more difficult schedule than any team in southeastern Ohio. He also led Ironton to state championship appearances in consecutive years (92,93). He is one of the best backs ever in that part of the state. Smith may not play the best teams, but if you have the tools they can teach you the rest. Jermon was the best pure running back with the ball many have ever seen, but there is much more to the game than that. And Coopers problem was he never utilized Jacksons talents and allowed him to sit behind Pearson when he could have been blowing games open with an element the other guys did'nt have.
 
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I definitely agree that Ironton plays the toughest schedule; by far, in Lawrence County. As a whole; Lawrence County does not produce much D1 talent;( I think Ironton is THE ONLY SCHOOL that has sent players to D1 - 4 or to OSU) much less Big Ten talent,. due to the size of the school, competition and etc.,. What I am saying is., Chris' numbers may look great against that comp;however, if he does this @ the Army AA game comp too ?!?! Then I will be more than happy to say I am wrong. Whereas, I know he hits like a train,. and that will stay the same regardless of comp. Lastly, Ironton plays some OVC teams ( CG, S. Point) as well as Wheelersburg, Portsmouth West some of the Ky. teams. Many of the OVC teams play those teams as well. That is where I was basing the info. And remember, I would love to see Chris come to OSU and win the Heisman X 4 !

By the way, enjoy the SP- Ironton game. Does SP have a prayer this year ?


Itownbrowns said:
CincyBuck, that is not at all true. Jermon Jackson played at Ironton from "90-"93. They don't play in the OVC or any other teams South Point plays. Ironton plays a more difficult schedule than any team in southeastern Ohio. He also led Ironton to state championship appearances in consecutive years (92,93). He is one of the best backs ever in that part of the state. Smith may not play the best teams, but if you have the tools they can teach you the rest. Jermon was the best pure running back with the ball many have ever seen, but there is much more to the game than that. And Coopers problem was he never utilized Jacksons talents and allowed him to sit behind Pearson when he could have been blowing games open with an element the other guys did'nt have.
 
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First of all, I don't think South Point can handle Ironton but SP is much better so it may at least be a game. SP is without their top receiver and that has to hurt. If SP can get some turnovers and make some stops it could be interesting. Ironton plays a pretty soft zone but are excellent open field tacklers. Should be interesting to see if Smith has the ability to pick at them. Secondly, you may be absolutly correct. I have not seen Smith play and he may be a DI calliber backer, I'll be watching closely. He'll for sure get his first real test, I'town has a back already committed to Marshall in 6'0 220lb Darius Lewis. This guy brings it to the whole every play. Lastly, you are pretty much correct about not many boys from the extreme south going to tOSU. There is no doubt he does'nt play the best talent around and that will probably be a dissadvantage. Problem is further complicated because SP isnt really that good of a team or have much noteriety as a football school. I wish Chris the best of luck this Friday and for the upcoming season and I too would love to see this in scarlet and gray. I'll give ya a rundown Cincy after the game and Thanks I just hope its a good game.
 
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Well after a few days to think about what I witnessed Friday night I don't really see Smith as a tOSU caliber qb. He throws a nice ball, nice tight spiral and shows good form and technique. He does'nt have great velocity though. Being fair his team was completely outmatched and he has no help. He only threw one ball downfield, everything else was in the flats and to backs. He was'nt given much of an opportunity at all to show what he could do. I assume that was their plan to throw short. Ironton got pressure on him but he still never made anything happen out of it. He looked alot like Betts of Miami, throwing from bad positions and rushing. As far as him being a quality linebacker I did'nt see that either. I hope he continues to improve and gets better but he is far from a standout right now, even on a bad team.
 
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ITown,

First, Congrats on the slaying ! Also, it seems like you and I are the only ones really tracking him. From reading your post; it seems you have cooled on the OSU Qb talk like me. My question to you is; if he had any kind of a team around him; could you see him playing defense for OSU ? From my perspective, I say - yes. Good luck with the rest of the season. I will be in the area Oct. 1 and and Oct 14 weekends to catch Chris play. I will relay if things got better.
 
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Smith is a good prospect, but I can gaurantee you there will be 2 or 3 other quarterbacks pop up in Ohio alone who draw some interest. Smith is simply the first to be given major attention.

To be honest, I'd be happy if we got hartline and had him competing with Henton, but That's kinda odd eligibility wise if Schoenhoft starts and plays till his senior year. Gives Henton and Hartline one combined year of playing time between the two.
 
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It's true that Chris Smith will not be the only top QB prospect in Ohio next season. I think a lot of people assume he is a stud because he is being talked about as a junior. However, I can think of at least three other junior QBs off the top of my head (Clay Belton of Clayton Northmont, Chaz Anderson of Pickerington Central, and Chris Schneider of Findlay) who could develop into star QB propsects this year. Belton especially is off to a tremendous start.

Smith, by all accounts, is a really good athlete with a strong arm, which will get him a bunch of attention. Right now, though, he sounds like a clone of Joe Bauserman, who wasn't exactly highly rated. Of course, I couldn't figure out why Rob Schoenhoft was getting all the attention he was given his lousy numbers as a junior, so obviously I am not the judge of ballplayer the coaches are.
 
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