Syracuse Football: Get To Know Your Orange Man - #45 Jerome Smith

We're quickly approaching the beginning of the football season this summer, so make sure to get up-to-date on all of our player profiles here.

Player:  Jerome Smith

Number:  #45

Position:  Running back

Year:  Sophomore

Height:  5'11"

Weight:  215

Hometown:  Bear, DE

High School:  Pencader Charter

2010 Stats:  Despite playing in two games last season, Smith didn't do much in terms of stats.

2011 Projections:  Antwon Bailey and Prince-Tyson Gulley have emerged as the top two backs this season, but I definitely think our offense has room for a bruising Delone Carter-type power back.  Either Smith or incoming freshman Adonis Ameen-Moore should fill that role.  Here's what I wrote after the spring about Smith:

Jerome Smith: (C+) - Similar to the Charley Loeb/John Kinder situation that I saw with the quarterbacks this spring, the back-up half backs also seemed to excel when the other wasn't playing, as well.  Jerome Smith was incredibly impressive as a power back during the first few weeks of the spring, but seemed to drop off a bit once Gulley returned from his injury, and then got injured himself.  I still think that a power back has a role in this offense, and that means we'll likely see Smith or incoming freshman Adonis Ameen-Moore getting carries this season.

How'd He Get Here?:  Smith attended one of SU's one day camps, which led to a scholarship offer, which he quickly accepted.  Jerome chose Syracuse over Wisconsin.

What'd Scout/Rivals Say?:  Scout gave Smith a 2-star rating, while Rivals was a bit more generous, and deemed him a 3-star recruit.

Money Quote:  

"They told me they like to call all their running backs super backs so they can do everything," Smith said. "Whatever that means, I'm ready to do it."

Links of Wonder:  Here's Donnie Webb's Syracuse.com story about Smith's commitment to SU.

What Does Marrone Think?:  He knows that either Smith or Gulley needs to step up and fill the role of No. 2 running back that Bailey is leaving behind:

"I'm just looking to see if I can get them on the field to play in the Big East," Marrone said in Rochester. "If I can get that out of them, then we will be fine. We still got a ways to go."

Interesting Nugget O'Interest:  Smith was able to put up incredible high school numbers, over 1300 yards rushing during his senior year, despite playing in a pass-happy spread offense.

Let Us Get a Good Look At You:

Jerome Smith (via daydollas24)