Next Man Up: JuJu Smith

Rob Willette Posted On February 12, 2015

juju

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Dynasty Scouts “Next Man Up” series will profile the players ready to replace departing stars. They’re the talents that have bided their time behind Heisman candidates, or the freshman ready to explode onto the national scene. They may not replicate the production of their predecessors, yet they’re the best person equipped for the job.

USC Trojans WR:

Moving On: Nelson Agholor (104 receptions; 1,313 yards; 12 touchdowns)
Taking His Place: John “JuJu” Smith (54 receptions; 724 yards; five touchdowns)

Next Man Up:

The University of Southern California: Home to a rich football tradition, the Song Girls and an endless line of second round wide receivers. Nelson Agholor is the most recent Trojan to star in college while possessing tools that portend a more complimentary role in the NFL. Following in the footsteps of Robert Woods and Marqise Lee, Agholor may be a passing game’s Robin as opposed to its Batman.

Is there anyone equipped to break that trend? It may be rising sophomore and former five star Athlete, John “JuJu” Smith. As is often the case with prospects listed as Athletes – and anyone with a name as pedestrian as John Smith – there was a tendency to overlook Smith in the devy pool thanks to the question mark surrounding which position he would play. Now entrenched as the Trojans’ top returning pass catcher, interest in him is sure to rise this off-season.

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The Goods:

Smith was once projected as a physical, ball-hawking safety, and those skills are on display at receiver as well. Physically mature at a listing of 6’2” and 210 pounds, he uses his size well to shield and bully defenders and demonstrates an understanding of how to keep his body under control while making plays in traffic. Here, we see Smith adjust to a poorly thrown football:

Of course, one highlight play does not make a career. Otherwise David Tyree and Tyrone Prothro would be in the Hall of Fame. It does demonstrate, however, Smith’s ability to corral his large frame and make a play on the football at full speed. That’s not a catch everyone can make look so easy.

He’s also shown tremendous field awareness despite his youth and inexperience. At the 2:31 mark, you see him work the sideline like a pro:

Again, it is a small snapshot of what he is capable of, but when working with a limited body of work I prefer to identify where a player can win and what they’re capable of.

He’s a bull in a china shop after the catch, combining physicality and a decisive running style that is more often seen in running backs. As he continues to add positive weight to his already sturdy frame, he will become a run after catch monster.

As a route runner, he is not as fluid as his counterpart Agholor, though that will come with time. He’s shown an understanding of how to settle into soft spots of the defense and demonstrates the ability to routinely hoodwink defensive backs with subtle head and shoulder fakes. Also working in his favor is a late birthday (11/22/1996). He was 17 years old for much of the 2014 season, and already has a productive Pac 12 season under his belt. That bodes well for future production and speaks to his upside.

Current Value:

There’s no 2014 ADP data surrounding Smith, as it was widely assumed he’d be lining up on the defensive side of the ball. Despite the stars littering the space next to his name, he got bypassed as freshman receivers such as Malachi Dupre, Josh Malone, and Speedy Noil flew off the board.

Heading into the 2015 off-season, you could make a strong case that Smith is the top 2017 eligible receiver available in devy land. He checks out physically and has a strong baseline of production in a pro-style offense at a very young age. Cody Kessler is back in the saddle after posting one of the most statistically dominant seasons ever seen by a Trojan quarterback. Barring injury, Smith should crush his freshman numbers and emerge as a Top 100 prospect for 2017.

Devy Projection:

There’s plenty of value to be had with JuJu Smith, as despite a very solid freshman season and oodles of talent, he’s still a bit of an unknown. As is often the case with west coast players, he’s been overlooked due to lack of exposure stemming from late start times. It also does not help that the Trojans have been down in the midst of serious sanctions imposed by the NCAA.

I’m comfortable taking Smith within the first two rounds of all class devy drafts and feel he is only scratching the surface; the best is yet to come. We’ll see Smith’s true wares as he takes over the role of number one receiver. If he shines as expected, we could be looking at a first round pick come 2017.

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