HS Football Player Spotlight: Rise of Jeffrey Smith III gives Marana a 'lethal' one-two punch

Every week this high school football season, in collaboration with ESPN Tucson’s weekday morning show “Spears & Ali,” we’re spotlighting notable performances from the previous week. Up next: Marana Tigers sophomore running back and linebacker Jeffrey Smith III.

Marana is known to sling the football around. Marana quarterback Colten Meyer enters this week as the top passer in the state with 2,094 yards.

However, in the Tigers’ 51-27 win over Casa Grande last week, Marana sophomore running back Jeffrey Smith III had 12 rushes for a career-high 210 yards and two touchdowns, along with one reception for 43 yards; he had seven tackles at linebacker.

Smith and Meyer accounted for 440 yards of Marana’s 505 yards of total offense against Casa Grande.

Balancing Meyer’s passing prowess with a reliable running back was something Marana prioritized at the start of the season.

“Starting the season, we were trying to open up and develop the run game,” Smith said. “Throughout the season, it started to open up and I gotta thank the (offensive) line for that. They work their butts off to execute every play. Coming into this season, I always work for improvement. I don’t ever get comfortable and I just try to show everyone that I’m better than I was last year.”

In his second season at the varsity level, the 6-foot, 195-pound Smith has 869 all-purpose yards and eight touchdowns. Smith has 1,305 rushing yards and 23 touchdowns in his career at Marana, along with 70 tackles, two interceptions and a fumble recovery.

Smith recently joined “Spears & Ali” on ESPN Tucson this week to talk about his development, the red-hot Tigers and his affinity for a popular rookie running back in the NFL.

What parts of your game have you developed the most from your freshman year to now?

A: “Patience and my speed. It’s a fast jump going from middle school to high school. It’s fast-paced, so you have to slow it down and ease your mind and just run that ball, ya know?”

Marana has been known for its pass-centric offense led by quarterback Colten Meyer. How have you complemented Marana’s passing attack, and how would you describe your relationship with Meyer?

A: “That one-two punch, it’s lethal. Without the run game, what is it? The run game opens up the pass game, the pass game opens up the run game. It’s yin and yang. Me and Coco, we’re real tight and we like being leaders, we step up and take control when we need to.”

How is the culture at Marana under fifth-year head coach Phillip Steward?

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A: “It’s a great culture. He always teaches us to push past our comfort. He prepares us for the worst and the best. He prepares us for the next level. We’re under a great coach and it’s a great culture. Everyone is loving it.”

Marana lost the season opener to Salpointe Catholic, but has won six straight games. What’s been key to the turnaround this season?

A: “Don’t take nobody lightly. Take one week at a time and don’t get comfortable, because once you get comfortable, that’s when they come back. We learned that. Just full pedal to the metal.”

Even though you’re just a sophomore, have you thought about your career when you’re done playing football?

A: “My brother is in the Air Force Security Forces, so I would like to join the Air Force branch, if football is not my path.”

What are your hobbies or activities you like to do outside of football?

A: “Riding dirt bikes with my dad or even golfing. I’m not a good golfer, but me and my dad have our fun. ... My dad had a Yamaha.”

What’s your favorite golf course in Tucson?

A: “Starr Pass. I like that one.”

What’s your favorite food or place to eat?

A: “Longhorn Steakhouse. I just love steak.”

Who’s a running back you emulate your game after?

A: “Cam Skattebo, 100%. That guy Cam Skattebo. I try to play as him. I just like his aggressiveness and work ethic. He never backs down from anything. For example, Texas Longhorns and ASU, no one really thought that was going to turn out how it did. He put the game in his hands and led his team. That’s how I want to base my character and play style (off of).”