Thank you for taking the time to visit our latest blog posting!  We, at RDP Sports, have selected 3-star recruit Jeremy Smith to be featured for this issue.  Jeremy, better known as "Jerm" to his peers, is a rising senior at H.V. Jenkins High School in Savannah, Georgia.  Jeremy, who is 6’0 and 190lbs is taking on a new role as the team leader.  Now he is that guy that younger players  are looking to for leadership.   Also, he will be playing on both sides of the ball at running back and defensive back.  He currently holds four scholarship offers, and he is in the process of choosing where he would like to further his education and football career.  Jeremy is not only getting it done on the field but also getting it done in the classroom.  He is considered one of the top players in 912 area, and he is looking forward to having a great senior year. We had the chance to catch up with Jeremy for his interview.
 

RDP:  What are some goals for you during your senior year?
Jeremy:  I would like to make it to the state championship my last year with the guys, break some records, and remain healthy.

RDP:  What are you going to miss about high school the most?
Jeremy:  I’m going to miss my classmates and football.

RDP:  What’s your favorite subject and why?
Jeremy:  I would say my favorite subject is science because you learn about the body.  When I go to college, I want to study sports medicine to learn that field of study and all of the muscles and everything about science. 

RDP:  You scored a 25 on the ACT.  How did you prepare for the test? 
Jeremy:  Big thanks to Coach Cam and Ms. Wilson in the academic program at Jenkins.  They helped me out with all type of study programs.  Also, I attended ESPN Books and Balls SAT/ACT prep classes. So, I just studied hard and worked hard in the classrooms and results came out big.

RDP:  How is the recruiting process going for you?
Jeremy:  The recruiting process is going pretty well.  I hold four offers now - Marshall, Tulane, Coastal Carolina, and Mercer, and I’ll be making my decision in September.

"It doesn't matter how hard you work,  I'm willing to work harder than you"
                                                                  - Kobe Bryant
 

RDP:  What motivates you to be a good player? 
Jeremy:  What motivates me to be a good player is seeing all the guys in the league making it and  seeing their progress.  Also, I want to make my family proud of me and make it out of Savannah.  

RDP:  Are you doing any volunteer work in the community?  If so, please explain.
Jeremy:  Yes sir, I’m helping the church at homeless shelters by donating food, clothes, toiletries, and  anything else they need at the shelters.
 

RDP:  What advice would you give to to younger players?
Jeremy:  I would tell younger players to take advantage of every opportunity, work hard, stay focused, and watch who you hang around . . . just strive to be the best you can when nobody is watching you.

RDP:  Can explain the impact that your parents have on your life?
Jeremy:  My parents have been pushing me ever since I first touched a football.  They always gave me great energy and motivated me to be the best I can be.  They are the best parents ever; they kept pushing me since I was young.

RDP:  What are some obstacles you had to overcome to get to where you are today?
Jeremy:  One obstacle was finding out what position I was going to play at the collegiate level.  Some people told me I couldn’t do it, so I just had to work hard and put in late nights when nobody was watching, just trying to be the best.  Also, I injured my meniscus the summer before my junior season, so I had to sit out about three games.  I came down on myself a few times getting frustrated, but I knew I had to go to rehab and hit rehab hard to come back powerful and stronger so I could finish out my junior year and that’s what I did.

RDP:  What is something you want people to know about you beside playing sports?
Jeremy:  I want them to know that I am a smart young guy, and I like to have fun.  I’m great to have a conversation with, and I’m just a great young man to be around.  I also provide motivation for the young kids. 

RDP:  What advice would you give seniors that’s not getting recruited heavily?
Jeremy:  I would tell them to keep pushing and trust the process because their time is coming.  My offers came very slow.  When I saw all my friends or other guys receiving offers and I wasn’t getting offers, it just motivated me to keep grinding and the offers came.

RDP:  Where do you see yourself in 5-6 years?
Jeremy:  Hopefully, I see myself at the NFL level or somewhere training and providing help to kids so they can be better people and players.  Also, I want to give back by motivating younger guys in the community.

I didn't get here by making excuses
                                                          - Dr. Eric Thomas