ATLANTA -- Competitiveness. The desire to be better than your opponent. This quality is found in many cornerbacks. Georgia State’s Jerome Smith prides himself on his ability to compete while setting out to accomplish one goal, to win.
That competitiveness and desire has helped the Atlanta native establish himself as one of the top cornerbacks in the Sun Belt Conference and a key defender for the Panthers, who play at Sun Belt leader Troy Saturday at 3:30 p.m. ET on ESPN3.
Attending Benjamin E. Mays High School in Atlanta, Ga, Smith’s ambitious attitude was demonstrated as he lined up on the opposite side of the ball from time to time.
“In high school, my coaches use to line me up at receiver at practice, but I never got to play it in the game,” Smith said, laughing.”
Carrying over to his collegiate football career, Smith displayed this competitiveness during the 2015 season after breaking a bone in his hand and then playing in the next several games with a cast on his hand.
“It was very hard playing with the club on my hand,” Smith said. “I had to play with it for about four games. I just had to push through and make it work.”
While playing with the club, Smith recorded a season-high seven tackles with two pass breakups in Georgia State’s victory over Ball State. He finished the 2015 season with a school record 11 pass breakups, one interception, 44 tackles, including 2.5 tackles for loss, and one sack, a key piece in an improved Georgia State defense that helped fuel the Panthers' drive to their first bowl game.
Along with his eagerness to succeed, Smith has had to learn how to channel his emotions inwards in hopes that he wouldn’t negatively affect himself or his teammates along the way.
“Last year I got a couple of personal flag penalties, so this year I just try to channel it all in,” Smith said. “I just have to hold my temper and keep playing hard.”
This enthusiasm Smith has for the game is one caliber that makes his skill set incomparable in the eyes of teammate Bobby Baker.
“Jerome is one of my favorite guys," Baker said. “His passion for the game is unmatched. He’s emotional and puts that on display every week. He’s consistent, and that’s what I love about him. He comes to practice ready to let some of that passion out and a lot of guys feed off of that.
"Last year, he led the team in pass breakkups. I told him starting this season, ’All you need is picks, all you need to do is catch the ball. If you catch the ball, we’re going to be great.’”
Smith has done just that, beginning with the season opener when he grabbed two interceptions, returning one 48 yards for the Panthers' first touchdown of 2016. He is second in the Sun Belt with three picks on the season.
Teaming up with Chandon Sullivan, the junior cornerback who plays opposite Smith, the two have created an unbreakable bond.
“Chandon is my guy,” Smith said. “That’s my right-hand man. We do everything together on and off the field.”
With his family close by, Smith can count on them to be at every game cheering for him. Especially, his two older sisters.
“I like being close to my family,” Smith said. “I love my sisters, and I wouldn’t trade them for anything. My dad always told me having sisters is better than having brothers. As of now, I’m more protective of them, but when I was younger they were protective of me. They’ve always taken care of me.”
An interdisciplinary studies major at Georgia State, Smith has been recognized on the Sun Belt Conference Commissioner’s List, Dean’s List and Athletic Director’s Honor Roll.
While aiming to be better than his opponents, Smith is continuously striving to be the best he can be. The 5-foot-10 cornerback will never back down, but instead try to dominate any challenge that lines up in front of him.
