ohio state buckeyes football
class of 2005
recruiting profiles

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Curtis Smith

Curtis Smith out of Cleveland Glenville High School. Curtis was the most physically developed athlete in the sophomore class that I saw last season.

Position: Running Back - Defensive End - Linebacker

Height: 6'2"

Weight: 230 pounds

40 Time: 4.8 seconds

High School: Cleveland Glenville

Notes:

Curtis Smith was one of the most physically impressive sophomores that I saw last season. I only had the opportunity to see Curtis play once last season, but it was enough to get an idea of the type of player he could become in the next two years. The game I saw him play was against Cleveland Lincoln West. To be kind about it, I will just say that Lincoln West isn't very good. That is the hardest part of evaluating talent from Glenville typically. The conference they are in is not top flight competition and no team in conference hardly is able to put up a challenge. Fortunately for the players at Glenville, Coach Ted Ginn takes them to a bunch of camps around the country so they get the exposure that they deserve.

Curtis Smith lined up as a tailback on offense and with his size, i had an Eddie George flashback. Now that isn't saying he is anywhere near the runner that Eddie is. Curtis simply does not have that type of speed as of right now. What reminded me of Eddie was his physical size and his running style. Curtis ran a little high. That isn't the way you are supposed to run with the ball, but it is effective for Eddie. If Curtis is going to play on offense he will need to work on the speed some. That shouldn't be a problem at Glenville as Coach Ted Ginn seems to produce speedy athletes year after year. Tailback is a possibility for Curtis, but I honestly think his future is on the defensive side of the ball.

On defense I saw Curtis line up as a linebacker and a defensive end. I thought he looked better as a defensive end, so I will just deal with him as an end. Curtis was explosive coming off of the line of scrimmage rushing the passer from the end position and he was man enough to stand up his blocker and clog up the run. Admittedly, Lincoln West didn't have the talent to get a good read on Curtis Smith's abilities at end, but he didn't disappoint either. He was completely dominant at end and I imagine that is where his future is. If Curtis continues to develop, n two years he could be a recruit on par with Will Smith. Like I said earlier, he will need to work on his speed to get to that level, but the potential and the program are there and he has two more years of high school to work on it.

Curtis Smith should be one of the top 10 players in the state of Ohio on all the early junior class lists next year and he could make many top 100 national junior lists as well with the recognition that Glenville gets nationally. At this early point in the process, Smith's class seems to be heavy on the offensive side of the ball. I expect a guy like Curtis Smith to help balance that out.

I am very excited to see Curtis Smith again this coming season. I believe they are coming to my part of the state to play Massillon Perry this year and I think they also have a scrimmage in the area before the season as well. With Ted Ginn Jr. on the roster there is little doubt in my mind that I will find a way to see Glenville in action again this year. Who knows, maybe I will get a chance to see them make a run in the playoffs this season.

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