What I Learned Watching: 4-Star UGA Football OL Commit Cortez Smith
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CUMMING - It’s been a tough start to the season for the Parkview Panthers. A program with a rich history of success, the Panthers are in the beginning of a rough, rough 2024 season.
However, they do have one of the state’s top offensive linemen in four-star Georgia Bulldog commit Cortez Smith, who was a bright spot for the Panthers during a weekend loss to West Forsyth.
Even in the loss, Smith showed why he’s good enough to play for Kirby Smart and the Dawgs.
When you first look at him, his size stands out immediately. At 6-foot-3 315-pounds, he may not be as big and heavy as other recent Bulldog commitments on the offensive line, but he still brings plenty of size and a physical presence.
It didn’t take long to notice Smith in person, and it didn’t take long for him to make an impact on the field.
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It was a tough night for the Parkview offense against a stout West Forsyth team, but if you just watched Smith, the future Bulldog did his job. The first thing that stood out was his versatility. Smith lined up all over the Parkview offensive line and excelled whenever he was. Right tackle, right guard, left guard, it didn’t matter.
He does a good job of playing with leverage and sealing his blocks in the run game. He turns defenders around, opening up running laned between the tackles. He did his job and put several Wolverine defenders on the ground.
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Parkview lost the game 45-21, but Smith’s performance still stood out. He was the best player on the field and competed at a high level. It was hard to see him do much in pass protection as the Panthers couldn’t do much through the air, but if you just watched Smith by himself, he consistently won his battles in the trenches throughout the night.
Smith even lined up in the backfield on one play, getting a head of steam going before finding a linebacker to attack at the second level. He can really move for his size, and his versatility should allow him to get a strong look at both guard and center once he gets to Athens.
In the end, it’s easy to see the talent and versatility Smith brings to the table. He’s thick, strong, and plays with outstanding effort. He even played some meaningful snaps on special teams and on defense. He’s a force in the middle of the trenches and a true bright spot for a struggling Parkview team.
He’ll get a strong look at center once he gets to Athens, and after watching him against West Forsyth, that makes complete sense. He’s smart, moves well, and can find linebackers to block at the second level. He’s technically sound, shows good footwork, and continues to play better and better. He has a chance to have a memorable career at Georgia if he continues to work hard and develop properly once he gets to Athens.
***Football season is finally here!!***
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