Sleeper RB about to emerge
Ontario (Calif.) Colony is one of Southern California's fastest rising programs. They have won two CIF championships in a row and it is quite possible they can win two more in row based on what is one of the best group of underclassmen in the area, but first things first.
Colony has a good group for the class of 2009 as well and at the school is a running back who has yet to hit the scene, but that is only a matter of time.
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The running back in question is Dwight Smith (5-10, 217, 4.44). He has all the tools you look for in a running back. He can run with speed and power.
One of the reasons that his recruitment as been slow is because he was at Monrovia, Calif., high school in 2007, so some schools may have had a hard time finding him.
While at Monrovia, Smith earned second-team all-league honors after rushing for 809 yards on 87 carries while averaging 10 yards per carry and scored 12 touchdowns.
Smith displayed his explosiveness as a kick returner as he returned three kickoffs for touchdowns so he can also help a team on special teams.
On the recruiting trail, Smith is very open regarding schools and things are expected to pick up quite a bit for him during his senior season. As it is, Oregon State, Utah and Northern Arizona are ahead of the recruiting curve and are corresponding with the talented running back.
As has already been mentioned, Smith is very explosive and hits the hole hard. If there is one thing he needs to work on his patience.
By Smith's own admission he has had to work on his hands.
"I wasn't naturally a good receiver at one time," Smith said. "I couldn't catch a cold, but now I'm a very good receiver out of the backfield."
In the weight room, Smith has outstanding strength. His current bench is 310, he squats an outstanding 605, and power cleans 275. He has also recorded a 32-inch vertical.
Though Smith has only been at the Colony a short time, he still has shown enough to impress Colony head coach Anthony Rice.
"He's very explosive and strong," Rice said. "He has good instincts. He was at another program last season so we have to see how he adapts the hard work we demand in our program."