A calling brings Bentonville linebacker back into the fold

Exclusive interview with Jordan Smith

 

One thing that rings true for all athletes, the competitive spirit never extinguishes no matter how accomplished. Even legendary players that have hung up the cleats, ice skates, or high-tops too early all lament about not giving the game a go one more time even though each had nothing left to prove.

The sad truth about today’s high school athletics, regardless of the sport, coaches at the higher levels are pushing for kids to focus on one sport during their formative years. This too soon narrative almost claimed another victim, Bentonville Class of 2016 linebacker Jordan Smith.

Smith played football his freshman year but then another type of “football”, soccer, came calling. After the fall sport ended spring soccer at an all-star level turned into a traveling squad over the summer and into the fall of 2013 leaving no time for the gridiron. From the student section Smith watched the Tigers take a state championship in 2013. Loving every minute for his friends, but like those with a burning desire to still compete, hated that he was not out on the field game after game contributing to one of the region’s best squads.

A long mulled over decision in the offseason scrapped soccer for football and Smith was now back on the field tracking down the opposition carrying the pigskin.

Slowly over the 2014 season, playing both JV and varsity, Bentonville head coach Barry Lunney Sr. started to integrate Smith into the lineup. Picking the game back up at a productive level, when the season was over Smith had tallied 98 tackles, 72 solo and 26 assisted, along with one fumble recovery, two forced fumbles, and five sacks.

The 5’11”, 195 pound, linebacker enters his senior season like thousands of other high school players, full of hope. The top priority is to help put more hardware in Bentonville’s trophy case but along the way to attract some scholarship offers to continue playing the game he loves for another four to five years.

In an exclusive interview, Jordan Smith talks about his football journey on and off the field, winning a state championship, and preparing for a promising senior season.

 

Jordan, you did not participate in Bentonville’s 2013 championship season. When you returned to the team in 2014 walk us through your mindset of joining a championship squad while assimilating back to the game.

“Our mindset beginning of the year was we were the best of the best. Then we lost our first four games and everyone wanted to know “what’s going on?” We were not getting that tie together on offense and defense. Even we wanted to know “what’s going on because we had just won the state championship.

“It really showed me the love that the coaches had and the trust the players had in one another to go through that four game losing streak then win our next nine games to capture another state championship. The competitive fire we have and the coaching was in place. We stuck to our strict 10 rules before each game. We stuck to our routine of praying before each game, started executing our assignments, and when the momentum switched in our favor we kept going all the way to the state championship.”

How did your season start out?

“The coaches put me on JV first to evaluate me. I would dress out for every varsity game and practice with first string throughout the week and during pregame warm-ups. They would rotate me with the starting middle linebacker. I’d play a lot of the second half and they would work me in a couple of series in the first half. I started getting more playing time after the Fort Smith Southside game (Game 4, Sept. 26).”

Did playing soccer help you at all on the football field?

“When I was off playing soccer I would really work on my explosive speed. Even though I wasn’t playing football I’d still go out with my dad or brother and work on my football skills. We would do linebacker drills and analyze my freshman film. I would do a drill to fix what I had messed up on. My year out from the game was a time for me to grow, reflect, and get better.”

What led you to stop playing football your sophomore season in favor of soccer?

“I was on the No. 1 traveling team in the state of Arkansas. We traveled a lot. I started playing on an all-star Kansas City junior team. After my freshman year my parents sat me down and basically said “you can’t be mediocre at two sports, you have to be excellent at one.” So I went with soccer.

“That year when the football team won the state championship it ate my heart out to not be a part of the team. After that I knew I would do everything I can to play football again.”

Soccer is primarily a spring sport, are you going to play soccer for Bentonville this spring?

“I’m full football now. No soccer.”

If your high school career ends without a football scholarship will you regret not giving soccer a better go?

“Even if I don’t get the scholarship that I’m hoping for, some things happen for a reason. If I didn’t get the scholarship I can always walk-on and keep working to get better and improve so I can show what I can do.”

What are your goals for the 2015 football season?

“My goal is to be the best player and teammate I can be. I want to be a leader on the field. If I’m improving my stats I’m helping the team and increasing my playing time. I’m going to try to have the best possible senior year I can and hope to get looks from the college coaches.”

Do you think your role with the team will expand next year?

“Our defensive coordinator goes over game film with me a lot. He keeps telling me how much I can help out the defense next year. I should have a bigger role and be more of a leader.

“I played some running back my freshman year, they might put me in on some offensive plays next season.”

What type of running back are you, a short-yardage back, a blocking back, or pass receiving back?

“I’m more of a blocking back for most purposes. There will be some plays where I can be the breakaway back on a sweep, on an outside run, or in the screen game.”

You mentioned wanting to attract the attention of college coaches, are any schools recruiting you right now?

“Harding University (Searcy, Arkansas) has called me.”

Which schools are some of your favorite college football programs?

“I love Arkansas! I also like Missouri, Alabama, LSU, Florida, and TCU.”

Are you going to attend any college camps this summer?

“I’m going to attend as many as I can – Arkansas camps, camps throughout the state, camps in Florida, a Miami camp, Missouri, and LSU. I want to attend a lot of combine camps. I want to grow as a player and compete against top prospects across the country this summer to show what I can do.”

What are you doing now to prepare for the college camp circuit?

“I’m doing a ton of running. I’m doing sprints, abs, legs, and everything I can do to get ready.”

Who are some of your favorite NFL players?

“I love watching Clay Matthews (Green Bay Packers) and Ray Lewis (Baltimore Ravens) when he was still playing. A person I respect as a role model is J.J. Watt (Houston Texans). He’s a monster. He does well wherever they put him.

“I like Tyrann Mathieu (LSU/Arizona Cardinals) too. Even though he’s small, he can compete against anyone. He shows everyone size doesn’t matter.”

Let’s say you have 10 offers to great schools across the nation at the end of your senior year. You now have a tough choice on where to play your college ball. What will help influence where you may play in college?

“Academics are the most important thing to me. I really want to go to a school with great academics. I don’t want a party school. Being far away from home does not really matter. Traveling would be fine. I guess the biggest thing for me is when I look back at where I attended college I can be proud I went to school there.”

Who has made the biggest impact on your football career?

“My brother (Michael) 100 percent has had the biggest impact on me. During the summer he’d come visit take me to the gym, we’d go on runs, and work on anything that needs to be worked on. I’d go to all of his games when he was in high school. He’s the reason I fell in love with the game. He’s the main reason I’m playing foot ball now.”

How did Michael become so influential for you with football?

“He played outside linebacker at TCU before he transferred to Miami (Hurricanes). He’s the reason why I learned as much about the game.”

What is your favorite part of playing football?

“The atmosphere is my favorite part. I’ve played baseball, basketball, and soccer, no other sport gives the atmosphere on and off the field that football brings. Even just working out with the team is a different bonding experience. I forget about everything on the field.”

 

Jordan Smith is not the biggest guy, the most explosive, the strongest, or the fastest high school football player in the nation but then again only a handful of guys would fall into that distinction year after year. He is an improving player with a strong work ethic dedicated to becoming a better player.

He has one thing that ranks right up there perhaps above a lot of 5 and 4-star players, a deep love and passion for the game.

Much of the skill in football is a little bit of talent mixed with great preparation and a lot of luck. Jordan has the fundamental skill set to play the game and is preparing hard for his last chance to impress college coaches. With a little bit of luck he will be that sleeper recruit that surprises everyone by the time the 2015 season is finished.

Photo credit: sportinglifearkansas.com; Bentonville 7A State Championship team.