When you're an athlete coming from Long Beach (Calif.) Poly, you have got a bit of a reputation to uphold and that hasn't been a problem for 6-foot-1, 200 lbs. WR/S John "JuJu" Smith. Smith has received upwards of 20 offers already and has been compared to one of, if not the top wide receiver in college football today in Marqise Lee. For now, however, Smith is focused on his upcoming season and the recruiting process throughout his senior year.
Smith took a moment to talk to us about his recruiting process and some of his favorites, in which he lists "Notre Dame, Alabama, USC, UCLA, Washington, Ohio State, Michigan, Ole Miss and Wisconsin."
Coming from Long Beach Poly, USC and UCLA have the local advantage, but that doesn't factor in as much to Smith's decision on visits and potential college decision. "Well, I just want to explore the world more. I'm open to all schools. I'm not a kid who's afraid to leave home. I just want to get out and see what they have to offer," Smith said.
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"Alabama is in the SEC and their league is very competitive. It's just playing ball out there is different than from out here. I just want to be a part of that program to make myself better," Smith said of his latest offer. Another offer he received recently was USC and he said, "USC is a great program with a lot of tradition over there, which is really strong. Academics are also good which catches my eye with both schools."
Smith has excelled at both wide receiver and safety at Long Beach Poly and some schools have told him specific positions they want him to play while others are leaving that choice up to him. Smith said, "I want to play wideout, but I kind of see myself at safety more."
Being from a team like Long Beach Poly comes with its own benefits and Smith knows that. "That's a huge advantage. Just coming from a school where we put a lot of players into college is awesome. It's amazing and that I am part of this is the best part. This tradition will go on forever and it just feels good to be a part of it."
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That local connection to USC and UCLA is also evident so it's easy to see that they become comparable programs. "Well, Coach Kiffin I talked to, but I haven't talked to Coach Mora. I have a good connection with both coaching staffs like Tee Martin (at USC), and at UCLA Coach Broussard," Smith said. "The only thing I worry about with USC is the coaching stuff coming together this year and how they react to Lane Kiffin's game plan and stuff. UCLA's program is changing and they are coming up in the Pac-12."
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Aside from recruiting, Smith is working on himself and what he can bring to a college team and his goals for this season at Long Beach Poly.
When asked what he brings to a team on and off the field, Smith replied, "Just my character. Just being a good role model and representing my team, community and my family. Just bring my 100% of everything with school and the football team. Making myself and the team better with my knowledge on and off the field and everything else we go through."
Continuing, Smith said his goals for himself and the Jackrabbits this season were "just coming together as a team and playing to the best of our abilities and winning state this year."
Smith is a talented, humble young man that plenty of people will be hearing about in the coming years.
