As most of you already know, Isaac Smith is easily the best player returning on Mississippi State’s defense. The veteran defensive back led the Bulldogs in tackles (127) while also posting 1.5 tackles for loss, three pass breakups and a forced fumble. The guy seemed to be everywhere, but moving forward I would like to see him be given even more opportunities to wreak havoc at or around the line of scrimmage.
This is why I love the idea of him getting bigger and practicing more with the linebackers, which is something we’ve seen throughout spring practice. He’s now gone from 6-foot, 205 pounds in 2024 to 220 pounds on the current roster, which would normally be considered a substantial gain for a defensive back, but Smith was already playing a significant portion of his snaps in the box or on the defensive line last season.
According to PFF, 295 of his 606 snaps (or 49%) were spent either in the box or along the defensive line. Not only that, but another 168 of his snaps (or 28%) came in the slot, which typically requires at least some level of run-stopping ability (and usually a lot). Smith is perfect for this type of role down closer to the line of scrimmage. He’s extremely long despite being just 6-0 (has almost a 6-5 wingspan), he’s ultra-physical and he’s shown a willingness to stick his nose in there to stop the run.
Do you want him to be a guy who consistently has to fill gaps while playing tackle-to-tackle? Probably not, but anything that gets Smith moving downhill is likely going to result in him getting in on the tackle (or at least it feels that way). I wouldn’t say he’s the most fluid mover who’s going to thrive having to stick on receivers in man-to-man coverage, but he’s got some range to his game and can be effective in zone coverage, whether that be at linebacker, in the slot or at safety. Plus, he’s a proven tone-setter for your defense.
Normally, I wouldn’t advocate for Smith continuing to see such a high tackle rate, as that probably means the first two levels of your defense aren’t getting the job done enough — that was certainly a factor last year with his 127 tackles, but continuing to deploy him in a similar fashion to 2024, especially at his new, sturdy 220-pound build, should continue to yield high tackle results. Now I’m hoping the next step of his development will be adding a bit more in other impactful areas such as interceptions and sacks (zero of either recorded so far in his career) or tackles for loss (only 1.5 last season).
State has significantly improved the first and second levels of its defense through the additions of guys such as Will Whitson, Raishein Thomas, Red Hibber, Jaray Bledsoe, Jalen Smith, Derion Gullette and others, but a part-time third level defender such as Smith will continue to go a long way in determining the success of the defense as a whole. And with the signing of Jahron Manning from Old Dominion, the return of Hunter Washington and some of the other key pieces at safety, defensive coordinator Coleman Hutzler and company can be even more creative in how they deploy a guy like Smith.
I’m expecting continued growth.
This is why I love the idea of him getting bigger and practicing more with the linebackers, which is something we’ve seen throughout spring practice. He’s now gone from 6-foot, 205 pounds in 2024 to 220 pounds on the current roster, which would normally be considered a substantial gain for a defensive back, but Smith was already playing a significant portion of his snaps in the box or on the defensive line last season.
According to PFF, 295 of his 606 snaps (or 49%) were spent either in the box or along the defensive line. Not only that, but another 168 of his snaps (or 28%) came in the slot, which typically requires at least some level of run-stopping ability (and usually a lot). Smith is perfect for this type of role down closer to the line of scrimmage. He’s extremely long despite being just 6-0 (has almost a 6-5 wingspan), he’s ultra-physical and he’s shown a willingness to stick his nose in there to stop the run.
Do you want him to be a guy who consistently has to fill gaps while playing tackle-to-tackle? Probably not, but anything that gets Smith moving downhill is likely going to result in him getting in on the tackle (or at least it feels that way). I wouldn’t say he’s the most fluid mover who’s going to thrive having to stick on receivers in man-to-man coverage, but he’s got some range to his game and can be effective in zone coverage, whether that be at linebacker, in the slot or at safety. Plus, he’s a proven tone-setter for your defense.
Normally, I wouldn’t advocate for Smith continuing to see such a high tackle rate, as that probably means the first two levels of your defense aren’t getting the job done enough — that was certainly a factor last year with his 127 tackles, but continuing to deploy him in a similar fashion to 2024, especially at his new, sturdy 220-pound build, should continue to yield high tackle results. Now I’m hoping the next step of his development will be adding a bit more in other impactful areas such as interceptions and sacks (zero of either recorded so far in his career) or tackles for loss (only 1.5 last season).
State has significantly improved the first and second levels of its defense through the additions of guys such as Will Whitson, Raishein Thomas, Red Hibber, Jaray Bledsoe, Jalen Smith, Derion Gullette and others, but a part-time third level defender such as Smith will continue to go a long way in determining the success of the defense as a whole. And with the signing of Jahron Manning from Old Dominion, the return of Hunter Washington and some of the other key pieces at safety, defensive coordinator Coleman Hutzler and company can be even more creative in how they deploy a guy like Smith.
I’m expecting continued growth.
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