Interview: 2020 Chaparral CB Jahiel Blue-Smith is Off to a Hot Start with Pumas
Written by Ryan Wright
Twitter: @RyanWrightRNG
The 2018 high school football season ended for Jahiel Blue-Smith as a rising corner in Southern California. The offseason for Blue-Smith (5-9, 160) was a flurry of camps, combines, and 7v7 action seeing him travel anywhere and everywhere to work on his game, compete against the best, and showcase to any and all what he can do on the field. His hard work and dedication to the game is paying off on the field during his senior season seeing the Chaparral talent become that lockdown corner he has worked so hard to become.
Blue-Smith’s junior season filled the stat sheet with 25 stops, 15 solo, two picks with one being a pick-six, 14 pass breakups, and even blocked a field goal. The senior season for the Temecula standout is coming off hot with 11 tackles, six solo, a pick, and five pass breakups. He is further helping his team lining up at receiver for the Pumas and has taken one kick back 44 yards. All the work has turned into a 2-0 record for his team on the field.
With recruiting interest starting to finally come around for the deserving Blue-Smith, it was time for an RNG catch-up interview.
*Click link for May 13, 2019, RNG video interview with Jahiel Blue-Smith
Interview
Jahiel, we last spoke in May after the 7v7 season and with a couple of camps under your belt. How did the rest of the summer go with your workouts?
“The rest of the summer went great. I kept working. I went into summer practices. Our 7v7 team, we won the San Diego State 7v7 tournament. On the first day we were shaky but we got it together on the second day and took the trophy home. The summer went well.”
What did you focus on as a receiver with your workouts?
“This offseason I have worked on getting out of the breaks, my catching, and knowing my plays. I have been in the playbook a lot this offseason.”
Flipping the field, what did you work on as a corner?
“I am working on disguising myself. I have been doing stuff like showing press but bailing into Cover 3 or 4. I have tried mixing up the pre-snap reads for the quarterbacks. I am playing the ball and getting picks.”
Is playing receiver helping you as a corner?
“Yes. It is fantastic. It is helping me go get the ball. It is helping me get out of breaks. Being on a receiver it can be difficult getting out of the breaks. I understand the route tree; I know what they are doing based on where they are standing. I know where they are going so I can pick it.”
Did you attend any college camps over the summer?
“Yes. I went Redlands, Portland State, Arizona State, a Mega camp, San Diego State, and a Louisiana camp called The Boot. There were multiple Louisiana schools at that camp.”
Wow. You really went out there to show off the skills. Of them all, which was your best camp performance?
“I feel like my best was the Redlands camp. I did not allow a catch and I got tons of reps. The Portland State coach liked me a lot at that camp. He loved my game. I showed I was very coachable at that camp.”
What was the best 40-yard dash time you turned in at the camps?
“My best this summer was a 4.5 hand-timed.”
How is all the hard work put into your game over the offseason paying off so far this year?
“It is paying off greatly. I got a pick in our first game. I have been everywhere on the field doing what it takes on defense being that team captain and leader. The offseason prepared me after working with multiple trainers. I was challenging and pushing myself to levels I did not know I could reach. I’m not letting myself down and I am being more accountable for all that I do.”
You touched on this a second ago. What types of coverages are you running this season?
“We are in Cover 3, Cover 4, Cover 2, a lot of man – we blitz a lot.”
What goals have you set for your senior season?
“My goals are to be first team All-CIF. I want us to go as far as we can as a team; I want us to get past the second round in the playoffs. I want us to do great in league and pass all expectations. I want to become one of the best corners all-time at my school. I want to be considered as one of the greatest to ever play there.”
I like those goals. Closing out with recruiting. Which schools are showing interest?
“I have an offer from Southwest Minnesota State. The schools that are showing interest but have not offered yet are Idaho State, Idaho, and Louisiana Ragin’ Cajuns (ULL).”
Besides the camps, did you take any visit this summer?
“Yes. I visited to Louisiana and Idaho State.”
How did the trip to ULL go?
“It was amazing. I want to go back soon. Coach (DJ) Looney was really nice. I want to meet all the coaches this time and talk to them to get more information on the school and program.”
Which visits might you take coming up?
“I want to visit the Idaho Vandals and ULL.”
Jahiel, it is always great catching up with you. Congratulations on the hot start to the season, I know how hard you worked over the offseason. Keep it up.
“Thank you.”
Photo credit: Chaparrall HS/Booster Club; Jahiel Blue-Smith