Today, the NCAA granted L’Christian “Blue” Smith’s eligibility waiver, which means he can suit up in the Bearcats’ red and black this season. This obviously constitutes great news for the offensive unit, which can now exploit Blue Smith’s size and athleticism against 2019’s stiff competition.
Blue Smith’s Path to UC
Smith transferred to the University of Cincinnati after redshirting last season for the Ohio State Buckeyes. Out of Dayton, Ohio’s Wayne High School, the 6’6″ athletic wide receiver was recruited by nearly all of the national blue bloods (Alabama, Michigan, Notre Dame, Michigan State, Tennessee, and Penn State, to name several).
At Dayton’s Wayne High School, Smith was more than just a football player; he was a two-sport star. Smith averaged 17 points and 10 rebounds for the basketball team his junior year. Because of that, he received scholarship offers to play football and basketball at the University of Kentucky and Ohio State. Paging Coach John Brannen!
Looking Ahead to UC’s 2019 Offense
High school basketball and recruiting aside, Smith is a tremendous pickup for this year’s team. In 2018, the wide receiver group did not feature much height on the edges. While 5’11” Rashad Medaris and 5’10” Jayshon Jackson led the way last season (hauling in 26 and 23 catches, respectively), neither supplied the kind of downfield target Blue Smith’s 6’6″ frame now provides on the edge.
Without question, the Bearcats’ offense took a giant, long-legged leap forward today. Offensive Coordinator Mike Denbrock and QB Desmond Ridder picked up yet another weapon for stretching defenses in 2019. Can you imagine how strong UC’s offensive unit would look going into the fall had the NCAA granted OL James Hudson’s eligibility waiver? I can…
By Brian Fox
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