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Why Rod Smith may be the most important get of the class
Written by Duane Long   
Thursday, 02 July 2009 09:24
Rod Smith is a special back. I think he is clearly the #1 back in the country this year. The only back that belongs in the conversation is Marcus Lattimore from S.Carolina. He reminds me a great deal of Chris Wells but he is better. He reminds me more of Darren McFadden than Wells. He is a power back with great speed. That is the thing that gets overlooked about Chris Wells. He could run away from people. Both are very explosive. I cannot stress enough how absolutely crucial that is to the position. Most of the great backs were not sprinters. What a back needs is to get to top speed as quickly as possible. That is what I see out of Smith. 2 steps and he is at top speed. I think he is as elusive as Wells and maybe moreso. Look at the cut on the film at the 55 second mark. That is something we have seen out of Wells but this kid does it at speed. He does it again at the1:15 mark and again at the 1:25 mark. Wells is a little more powerful. Where Smith really separates himself from Wells is as a receiver. Smith is more athletic and has great body control. He is more versatile than Wells because he is such a great receiver. I can't find the film but I saw him catching the ball. He is so natural that if you wanted to get him on the field you could put him in as a receiver. So often with backs you relax after they catch the ball. This kid is such a natural you expect him to make the catch. Being able to leave your best back in the game on third down and not hurt your passing game is a huge plus. No way is Smith a fullback. What separates the big running backs from those that end up being tweeners is the quick feet. We saw it with Chris Wells. I see it in Carlos Hyde, another big back that the dreaded fullback word keeps coming up with, and I see it with Rod Smith.

Rod Smith is a huge get for the Buckeyes. Look at the last few elite backs that the Buckeyes have gotten. Clarett messed up but he was an early entry kid anyway. Pittman was not smart in leaving early but he did anyway. Chris Wells left early. Elite backs are going to leave early. Too much punishment over the life of their careers. I saw Marshall Faulk interviewed one time right before he retired. He had come through a few years of injuries. He was asked when was the last time he was completely healthy. He said, "The moment before I first picked up a football.". Get in there and make that money while they can. I know alot of fans are excited about Berry. I am too but I think he needs a year in the weightroom. Carlos Hyde fits our offense right now. Either way an elite back is not going to stick around long. Having another in the stable is major advantage.

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Comments (23)Add Comment
...
written by mab, July 02, 2009
That is some high praise DL and I am glad we have him. He certainly fits the mold of the protype OSU tailback. Welcome aboard Rod!!!
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written by woody67, July 02, 2009
So where does that leave an offer to Erik Howard? He is reining Ohio Mr Football.... :woohoo:
re:
written by Duane Long, July 02, 2009
So where does that leave an offer to Erik Howard? He is reining Ohio Mr Football.... :woohoo:


It leaves him likely looking for another school. I have never seen the Buckeye staff as that high on him. Look at the number of backs who have been offered other than Smith. Even an instate kid, Spencer Ware, who does not play RB in high school.
re:
written by Duane Long, July 02, 2009
I did not note that there is video of Smith in the BuckeyeVision section of the blog.
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written by dvo45, July 02, 2009
Duane, you mentioned something I wanted to bring up...

This kid looks like such a good athlete that he could line up and play safety, running back or WR...
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written by edbuck51, July 02, 2009
I saw this guy listed with a 4.8 second 40. Can than be correct?

I hope he becomes my favorite Smith to play RB at OSU, 'cause Robert wasn't bad.
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written by RipsManifesto, July 02, 2009
Better than Wells, eh? We'll see. What Wells lacked in elusiveness he made up in perhaps the most devastating stiff arm I've seen. Clarett had a good stiff arm also, but Wells just blew people up.
re:
written by Duane Long, July 02, 2009
Better than Wells, eh? We'll see. What Wells lacked in elusiveness he made up in perhaps the most devastating stiff arm I've seen. Clarett had a good stiff arm also, but Wells just blew people up.



I am a big fight fan. Wells stiff-arm reminded me of George Foremans jab. Both could take you off your feet and rob you of your senses.
re: re:
written by RipsManifesto, July 02, 2009
I am a big fight fan. Wells stiff-arm reminded me of George Foremans jab. Both could take you off your feet and rob you of your senses.


There are so many plays where he just carried people with that stiff arm. The Wisconsin game comes to mind, but he also had a big stiff arm on an LSU player as I recall.

Smith is a great pickup though. Get Joyner in here also and this would be a hell of a week. smilies/smiley.gif
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written by Playmea, July 02, 2009
I don't see any comparison to Beanie at all. Other than body style. This kid can run. I see more of the McFadden you mention. We'll use him more like we did Pittman than we will like we did Beanie. And I see us getting him out in space where DB's have literally no chance. We just couldn't do that with Beanie unless he broke out of the box.
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written by BOBBY GHAINES, July 02, 2009
A couple of things I noticed too.
The kids definitely has soft hands.
And he also has breakaway speed that Beanie didnt have.

Was he taught how to block for his QB on passing plays? That will put him in PT quicker!
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written by marksgforce, July 02, 2009
Great write up Duane. I know his speed has been debated months ago on Bucknuts. That's probably lowered his ranking from the scouting services. Good. I'd rather get the real deal than worry about whether we are rated top 10 in a small class year.

The Wells comparison is about as high of praise as I've seen from you!
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written by 1buckfaninmich, July 02, 2009
Duane:

Good write up. I like this guy's combination of speed and elusiveness (although I think people here are underrating Beanie's speed). But, I'd also like to know that he has the power and will to make those 3rd and 3 and third and 2 runs that are so critical to an offense (and, frankly, one of the main reasons for recruiting a big back). The video I saw didn't show whether he could and wanted to power over people. Elusivenss is a great attribute (especially for taking it to he house) and promotes longevity in a back, but power is a mainstay that can't be ignored. A back has to be willing and able to smack defenders for critical yards, and not get stopped short of the first down. I saw the video on Bucknuts--did you or anyone else see any video that showcased his power? Do you have any reservations regarding his power?
re:
written by Duane Long, July 02, 2009
A couple of things I noticed too.
The kids definitely has soft hands.
And he also has breakaway speed that Beanie didnt have.

Was he taught how to block for his QB on passing plays? That will put him in PT quicker!


The number of guys who did not play early simply because they lacked that basic skill would boggle the mind.
...
written by chad, July 02, 2009
Where does this leave us with Corey Brown and Spencer Ware? Brown recently said we were in his Top 3. The gators are recruiting him hard!
re:
written by Duane Long, July 02, 2009
Where does this leave us with Corey Brown and Spencer Ware? Brown recently said we were in his Top 3. The gators are recruiting him hard!



I don't think this has any impact on Brown. He is a take no matter what player. I am on record as never believing Ware was coming this way, so I don't believe this impacts him either.
re:
written by O-State, July 02, 2009
A couple of things I noticed too.
The kids definitely has soft hands.
And he also has breakaway speed that Beanie didnt have.

Was he taught how to block for his QB on passing plays? That will put him in PT quicker!


Beanie didn't have breakaway speed? Funniest thing I've hear all week.
Things are moving fast...
written by tophand, July 03, 2009
I agree getting Smith is big - he looks like he'll be an outstanding back. Now we have Basil too. Current indications are Hagan & Rodgers may decide soon. I haven't seen either but I like Rodgers offer list and Hagan's speed. Hagan's nickname will have to be Festus no matter where he goes.
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written by BuckNasty, July 03, 2009
DL:

Good praise of this kid. How do you see the backfield shaping up after this commitment? tOSU now has Herron, Saine, Hyde, Berry, Smith and I think a few others in the mix. Who becomes the leader?? B)
...
written by pula_86, July 03, 2009
McFadden is a great comparison. I don't see the Wells comparison though. I think Smith has a real chance to make an immediate impact even on a roster this deep. I love how Berry, Hyde, Hall, and Smith all give us something different.

I do not understand the talk about taking another RB. There is supposed to be a pretty good back out of Glenville in 2011 and in 2012, Keith Byars son and Brionte Dunn are available. I think the spacing is just about perfect for OSU to take a RB every year. This is just not a position I am worried about depth.
Tressel's Use of the Backs
written by BuckNasty, July 03, 2009
I think the talent is definitely here in camp now that it appears Berry has worked out his legal issues and R. Smith has signed. Hyde will be a beast, but the ultimate question is about how Tressel will use each of these different styles to benefit the O.

I was unimpressed with his use of Keith Wells and ability to utilize diferent running styles in space and between the tackles.
re: Tressel's Use of the Backs
written by O-State, July 04, 2009

I was unimpressed with his use of Keith Wells and ability to utilize diferent running styles in space and between the tackles.


LOL, it's Maurice. Would've been fun to see Keith play RB.
Ooops! My mistake!
written by BuckNasty, July 04, 2009
Ha! Thanks for catching this as I was definitely referring to Mo Wells, who Tressel tried on numerous occasions to pound up the middle with no success!

Despite this, you knew who I was talking about. I don't think I want to see Keith Wells run the rock as that would be kind of funny!!! LOL! :whistle:

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