2025 four-star linebacker and Penn State Football target Cameron Smith may not have the prototypical size for his position, but that hasn’t prevented him from making a name for himself as one of the top recruits in his graduating class.
A current member of the Top 300 in both ESPN and 247Sports’ rankings, Smith stands 6-foot-1 and weighs 200 pounds. Smith said that while he’s a tad undersized, his athleticism levels the playing field. He added that collegiate coaches haven’t talked about potentially switching positions to better suit his frame, but that he’ll do whatever it takes to get on the field.
“Even though I’m not as big as top linebackers, I’ve got my speed, agility, and play making ability,” Smith told Nittany Sports Now. “If the time comes and I have to move, I’ll move to get playing time.”
Right now, Smith has nine Power Four offers including Penn State, and said he plans to make the trip to Happy Valley for their January 27 junior day.
“I’m going to try to make the trip up there in January for junior day,” Smith said. “I haven’t been able to make one [a game day visit] because all their games are scheduled the same day as ours.”
Could Diaz’s Departure Play a Role?
That junior day meeting could be pivotal for the Penn State due to defensive coordinator Manny Diaz departing to become head coach of the Duke Blue Devils.
Penn State has since hired Tom Allen, who Smith will likely meet this weekend.
“Obviously the defensive coordinator left, Manny Diaz… he was a great defensive coordinator, and I thought it would be cool to play under there, it was one of my decisions. But I didn’t really talk to him much, I was really talking to one of the recruiting coaches,” Smith said. “He was a big part because I know his defense was great, but Penn State always has great defenses so they’re gonna build back up.”
It’s important to note that Smith currently holds an offer from Duke, albeit one that predates the Diaz era: the Blue Devils offered him Sept. 22, while Diaz assumed the head coaching role in early December. Regardless of changes, Smith said the Penn State staff has continued their recruiting push since Diaz left.
“They said nothing’s going to change in my recruiting,” Smith said. “They’re still recruiting me hard.’
