Interview: 1,000-Yard 2021 Apple Valley WR/DB Tyron Smith has Bigger Goals for Senior Season
Written by Ryan Wright
Twitter: @RyanWrightRNG
Some guys take to the gridiron looking like naturals wherever they line up on the field, that is Tyron Smith. Put Smith on offense at receiver or defense at safety and great things will happen. Smith ripped apart California defenses during the 2019 season hauling in 50 passes for 1,037 yards with 17 touchdowns as a primary target for four-star 2022 talent Jayden Denegal. When the field was flipped, the 6-1, 191-pound, defender ended 31 plays with a tackle for a loss and picked up a loose ball taking it back to the house for a score. All the efforts on the field hit a zenith along the recruiting trail on July 8 when the Apple Valley High School standout verbally committed to Sacramento State.
With all the hard work put into his game this offseason, and with an offense that will support a 1,500-yard receiver (Xander Witt), even more big things are on the horizon for Smith once the 2020 season kicks off in January. To talk about it all, Smith sat down for an RNG Q&A session.
Interview
Tyron, the good thing for me is I never have to compete against you in a footrace. Not only are you fast, but your burst is great. What is the best-timed run you’ve posted?
(laughs) My 40 time, it keeps improving, I am down to a 4.6. I run track as well to maintain and build my speed with my receiver coach. I ran the 400, ran a 52, and my first 100 time since freshman year was an 11.6.
Nice. Your releases may not get the attention deserved. How do you approach your get off depending on the defender, defense, and/or route called?
It depends on the team we are going against. I watch film on their defensive backs. Our receiver coach makes a highlight reel on their coverages and tendencies. For each game, I know which player I am going against, how they like to play, and I can then tether to their play style. If they are off and flat footed, I go up on them, or if they are lazy, I can do a quick cut.
What were some of the routes you were running last season?
We ran a lot of different routes. I was running bubbles, slants, posts and deep things like that. With our offense, we like to pass a lot so we are all over the place.
How were defenses guarding you?
We saw a lot of Cover 4, Cover 2, but not as much Cover 3.
When you completed your junior campaign, what did you feel were the strengths to your overall game?
One of my strengths was my yards after the catch. It wasn’t easy for them to tackle me with one guy. I could turn a 5-yard pass into 10 or 15 yards.
Yes, that comes across on your game footage. During the 2019 season, you also got some snaps on defense. What position were you playing?
On defense I was playing free safety. In our defense the safety will replace the linebackers. I was dropping back in coverage letting nothing go deep.
How did your skills on defense grow in 2019?
I started the season with a strained hamstring, so I could not play the way I wanted. Last season I was not as comfortable doing what I know I can do. I am getting stronger to make it easier to tackle the bigger players and faster to go against all the different types of receivers.
Tying the two together, how did playing safety help you grow as even more as a receiver?
It helps me get a better understanding of what defenses are doing for different routes and schemes. It helps with better with my overall knowledge.
Where all will we see you line up on the field during the 2020 season?
My goal is to play everywhere, safety and receiver mainly, and hopefully on special teams too at punt and kick returner.
What have you been working on from a technical point with your game this offseason on offense?
This offseason I workout every day to get my strength and speed up, and I run to improve my cardio. Our team throws a lot, I go out there with them or go in the front yard and do footwork drills.
And with your defensive skills?
Defensively, same thing, getting my strength up to tackle those big running backs and improving on my speed to fly around the field better.
You have a pretty darn good quarterback feeding you the rock in Jayden Denegal. How have you and Denegal continued to work this offseason on your chemistry and connections?
Before the virus, we’d throw whenever he wanted, four to five times a week running our routes working on our connection.
Let’s touch on recruiting. Which schools are showing interest ahead of the season?
Northern Arizona and I am receiving some interest from UNLV.
Which schools have extended an offer to you?
Sacramento State, Benedictine, and Lake Erie.
Have you taken any in-person visits or any virtual visits?
Yes, I took a Junior Day virtual visit with Sac State.
Do you have any planned visits lined up once the NCAA lifts the dead period?
Yes, I plan on taking a visit to Sac State. I am a verbal commitment to their school (July 8).
Once the 2020 season begins, what do you want to showcase or further showcase of your skills?
I want to showcase being me, and let it be known that I am an athlete on both sides of the ball, not a one-way wonder. I want to win games and ball out for my senior year.
Tyron, I enjoyed going over your game and recruiting today. Thanks for your time and good luck with your offseason workouts until we talk again.
Thank you.
Photo credit: Apple Valley HS/Smith family; Tyron Smith